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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000030419</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>R H DONNELLEY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RHD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001289477</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sauder R Barry</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1001 WINSTEAD DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CARY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27513</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Controller &amp; CAO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert B Sauder</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
