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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HVn8L0FO5mH3QMi1YljagsyXX5OB1VxYSUK3qux5OmowxmxoXRlaGWPZnnYwMjMC
 Co6HHaCekMzDrxO3JQ0dFg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000902664-06-001390.txt : 20060508
<SEC-HEADER>0000902664-06-001390.hdr.sgml : 20060508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060508164033
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000902664-06-001390
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060504
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060508
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060508

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARBITRON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000109758
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-ENGINEERING, ACCOUNTING, RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT [8700]
		IRS NUMBER:				520278528
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		142 WEST 57TH STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019-3300
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2128871300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		142 WEST 57TH STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			N1
		ZIP:			10019-3300

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CERIDIAN CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920901

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONTROL DATA CORP /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COMMERCIAL CREDIT CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680910

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMINENCE CAPITAL LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001107310
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		06817241

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		65 EAST 55TH STREET
		STREET 2:		25TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-418-2100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		65 EAST 55TH STREET
		STREET 2:		25TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-04</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000109758</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARBITRON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001107310</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EMINENCE CAPITAL LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>65 EAST 55TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>25TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3065600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Eminence Capital, LLC (&quot;Eminence Capital&quot;), serves as investment manager to a number of private investment funds (the
 &quot;Funds&quot;) with respect to which it may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock
 reported in this Form 3 (the &quot;Shares&quot;).   Mr. Ricky C. Sandler is the Managing Member of Eminence Capital, LLC.   Based upon
 his relationship with Eminence Capital and the Funds and for purposes of Rule 16a-1(a)1 under the Securities Exchange Act of
 1934, Mr. Sandler may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Shares beneficially owned by the Funds.  Mr. Sandler and
 Eminence Capital hereby disclaim beneficial ownership of all such Shares, except to the extent, if any, of their pecuniary
 interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By:  /s/ Ricky C. Sandler, individually, and as Managing Member of Eminence Capital, LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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