<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 SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          11,070
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  301,346
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,232
<INVENTORY>                                     12,372
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               379,338
<PP&E>                                       2,171,516
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,455,256
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,778,361
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          575,103
<BONDS>                                        325,767
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       102,181
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,580,265
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,778,361
<SALES>                                      1,810,342
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,810,342
<CGS>                                          973,728
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  973,728
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,683
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                228,964
<INCOME-TAX>                                   103,729
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            130,326
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   130,326
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0