<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                     133,934,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               54,354,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                14,195,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           183,765,000
<PP&E>                                      95,822,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              19,288,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             923,374,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       26,363,000
<BONDS>                                    285,211,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      113,714,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                 484,640,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               923,374,000
<SALES>                                     63,307,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            63,307,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,180,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            58,127,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           8,656,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             40,958,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                17,258,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         23,699,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                19,890,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0