5

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

0001049664 SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION 1,000 9-MOS 12-MOS DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996 JAN-01-1997 JAN-01-1996 SEP-30-1997 DEC-31-1996 2,103 1,962 0 0 12,240 11,547 1,249 1,005 0 0 20,320 13,613 57,973 49,405 21,801 19,098 184,133 159,185 3,102 5,355 160,100 121,790 0 0 0 0 5,832 5,832 3,554 14,702 184,133 159,185 0 0 49,449 59,010 0 0 49,953 48,558 0 0 924 1,067 8,548 7,361 (4,374) 19,408 (1,790) 6,655 (2,584) 12,753 0 0 (1,090) 0 0 0 (3,674) 12,753 0 0 0 0