<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, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          31,945
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  313,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,142
<INVENTORY>                                      7,642
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               410,866
<PP&E>                                       2,321,225
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,545,985
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,782,262
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          611,716
<BONDS>                                        331,735
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       102,181
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,543,996
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,782,262
<SALES>                                      1,246,707
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,246,707
<CGS>                                          671,972
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  671,972
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,952
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,842
<INCOME-TAX>                                    58,273
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,305
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,305
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0