<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, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          27,958
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  299,872
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,064
<INVENTORY>                                     10,315
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               396,533
<PP&E>                                       2,399,905
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,577,461
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,813,860
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          610,301
<BONDS>                                        322,936
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       102,181
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,580,785
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,813,860
<SALES>                                      1,883,033
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,883,033
<CGS>                                        1,024,085
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,024,085
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,922
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                170,413
<INCOME-TAX>                                    82,822
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             87,183
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    87,183
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0