<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets of Interep
National Radio Sales, Inc. and Subsidiaries and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                    <C>                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          32,962                   1,419                   2,653
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,177                  43,362                  38,859
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,626                   1,220                     982
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               114,462                  82,937                  64,342
<PP&E>                                          20,668                  19,398                  17,678
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,357                  15,063                  13,462
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 184,508                 141,030                  93,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,351                  51,421                  44,378
<BONDS>                                        100,000                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                   6,924                   5,334
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                            14                   4,536                   4,675
<OTHER-SE>                                     (1,236)                 (1,623)                 (2,697)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   184,508                 141,030                  93,930
<SALES>                                         87,735                  87,096                  72,858
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               124,956                 113,682                  91,734
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,918                 104,630                  83,865
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,744                   3,779                   3,911
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,294                   5,273                   3,958
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,446                   2,359                   1,885
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,848                   2,914                   2,073
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,848                   2,914                   2,073
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0                       0
        

</TABLE>