WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
   THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
R.H. DONNELLEY CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000030419
<NAME> R.H. DONNELLEY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           3,515
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,072
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,177
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,853
<PP&E>                                          61,910
<DEPRECIATION>                                  44,875
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 407,595
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,106
<BONDS>                                        438,375
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        51,622
<OTHER-SE>                                   (243,893)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   407,595
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,750
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,642
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,928
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 80,581
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,875
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,706
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,706
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39