<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 16,082
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 75,361
<ALLOWANCES> (3,024)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 95,866
<PP&E> 118,433
<DEPRECIATION> (25,764)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,220,998
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,707
<BONDS> 592,412
92,987
0
<COMMON> 37
<OTHER-SE> 434,570
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,220,998
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 192,532
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 131,254
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 49,876
<LOSS-PROVISION> 4,466
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30,979
<INCOME-PRETAX> (19,530)
<INCOME-TAX> (2,676)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (16,854)
<DISCONTINUED> (3,373)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (20,227)
<EPS-BASIC> (.81)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.81)
</TABLE>