<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH
31, 2000 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          38,836
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,455
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,476
<INVENTORY>                                      2,383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               258,188
<PP&E>                                         233,048
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,749
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 692,923
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,920
<BONDS>                                        185,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        88,286
<OTHER-SE>                                     290,918
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   692,923
<SALES>                                        205,412
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               209,660
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               162,273
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,143
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,938
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,805
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,133
<DISCONTINUED>                                   6,012
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,145
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99