WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM R.H.
DONNELLEY CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000030419
<NAME> R.H. DONNELLEY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                             208                      58
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  135,422                 105,047
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,304)                 (8,193)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,700                  56,251
<PP&E>                                          58,671                  65,644
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,018                  33,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 391,490                 418,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,282                  49,806
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       188,421                 188,421
<OTHER-SE>                                   (414,700)                 113,075
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   391,490                 418,212
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,338                  80,664
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,957                  73,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,015                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,366                   7,499
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,546                   3,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,820                   4,499
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,820                   4,499
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20                    0.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20                    0.03
        

</TABLE>