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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 0NiAmvOzSNa6iWefy5rDYQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-10-034983.txt : 20100825
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-10-034983.hdr.sgml : 20100825
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100825161440
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-10-034983
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100823
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100825
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100825

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:		9705 PATUXENT WOODS DRIVE
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046
		BUSINESS PHONE:		410-312-8000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9705 PATUXENT WOODS DRIVE
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046

	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:			Abrams Capital Partners II, L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001292420
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		101037944

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-646-6100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-08-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292420</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Abrams Capital Partners II, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2756042</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Ownership of these securities has also been reported for purposes of Section 16 in a Form 4 filed jointly on August 24, 2010 by (i) Abrams Capital, LLC (&quot;Abrams Capital&quot;), which serves as general partner of Abrams Capital II L.P. (&quot;ACP II&quot;), (ii) Pamet Capital Management, L.P. (the &quot;LP&quot;), which serves as investment adviser for ACP II, (iii) Pamet Capital Management, LLC (the &quot;LLC&quot;), which serves as the general partner of the LP, and (iii) David C. Abrams, who directly or indirectly controls ACP II, Abrams Capital, the LP and the LLC.  In their respective capacities, each of Abrams Capital, the LP, the LLC and Mr. Abrams may be deemed to beneficially own the reported securities, each of which person or entity disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Abrams Capital Partners II, L.P., by Abrams Capital, LLC, the general partner, by David C. Abrams, managing member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-08-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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