<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-07-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001107310</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EMINENCE CAPITAL LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>65 EAST 55TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>25TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001362459</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sandler Ricky C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>65 EAST 55TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>25TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-07-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>37.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3346100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All securities disclosed in this Form 4 are owned by certain funds managed by Eminence Capital, LLC (the &quot;Funds&quot;) or certain
 family accounts (the &quot;Family Accounts&quot;) over which Ricky C. Sandler has investment discretion.  Mr. Sandler is the Managing
 Member of Eminence Capital, LLC (&quot;Eminence Capital&quot;).  Based upon his relationship with Eminence Capital and the Funds and
 for purposes of Rule 16a-1(a)1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Mr. Sandler may be deemed to be the beneficial
 owner of securities beneficially owned by the Funds. Mr. Sandler and Eminence Capital hereby disclaim beneficial ownership
 of all such securities, except to the extent, if any, of their pecuniary interest therein. Neither Eminence Capital, LLC nor
 Mr. Sandler has any direct or pecuniary interest in the Family Accounts and hereby disclaims beneficial ownership of all
 securities in such accounts.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ricky C. Sandler; By: Ricky C. Sandler, individually, and as Managing Member of Eminence Capital, LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-07-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
