<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
MARCH 31, 1997, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          17,498
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  316,757
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,598
<INVENTORY>                                      9,152
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               409,677
<PP&E>                                       2,254,040
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,507,165
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,750,304
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          607,989
<BONDS>                                        299,412
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       102,181
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,554,553
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,750,304
<SALES>                                        605,963
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               605,963
<CGS>                                          330,856
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  330,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,801
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,504
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,009
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,399
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,399
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0