<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENECE TO SUCH FIANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001050606
<NAME> SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 4,432
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 21,682
<ALLOWANCES> 2,458
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 27,428
<PP&E> 90,676
<DEPRECIATION> 34,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 276,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,968
<BONDS> 100,000
0
0
<COMMON> 147,615
<OTHER-SE> (4,832)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 276,613
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 29,106
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 27,247
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 133
<LOSS-PROVISION> 729
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,699
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,769
<INCOME-TAX> 1,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,601
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,601
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> .070
</TABLE>