<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1999 FORM 10-Q OF LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          31,439
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,194
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,461
<INVENTORY>                                      3,488
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               125,419
<PP&E>                                         335,301
<DEPRECIATION>                                 191,605
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 710,701
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,577
<BONDS>                                        186,154
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        88,390
<OTHER-SE>                                     285,984
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   710,701
<SALES>                                        140,395
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               142,656
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               109,228
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,385
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,346
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,802
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,544
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,544
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68