<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN FORM 10-Q FOR DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000029924
<NAME> DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           12178
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   320991
<ALLOWANCES>                                     14868
<INVENTORY>                                       9467
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                399763
<PP&E>                                         2119085
<DEPRECIATION>                                 1424426
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2856249
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           597767
<BONDS>                                         345723
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        102181
<OTHER-SE>                                     1594058
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2856249
<SALES>                                        1215471
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1215471
<CGS>                                           649835
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   649835
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                7477
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 159266
<INCOME-TAX>                                     73193
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              89650
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     89650
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0