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 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,204                      64
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,271                 119,581
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,258                   8,002
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,707                  44,840
<PP&E>                                          59,734                  66,588
<DEPRECIATION>                                  37,351                  36,003
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 414,273                 438,818
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,820                  55,437
<BONDS>                                        483,750                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        51,622                  52,179
<OTHER-SE>                                   (263,226)                 264,292
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   414,273                 438,818
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               115,740                 143,392
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,305                  89,068
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,371                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 89,064                  54,324
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,626                  21,730
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,438                  32,594
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,438                  32,594
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.56                    0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.55                    0.95
        

</TABLE>