<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          25,982
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,135
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,352
<INVENTORY>                                      3,580
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               252,746
<PP&E>                                         237,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 743,115
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          111,318
<BONDS>                                        185,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        87,740
<OTHER-SE>                                     298,030
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   743,115
<SALES>                                        312,946
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               319,585
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               244,354
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,013
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 86,294
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,206
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,088
<DISCONTINUED>                                  10,230
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,318
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.45