<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the March
31, 1995 financial statements 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-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          46,756
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,170
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,946
<INVENTORY>                                     13,056
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               123,546
<PP&E>                                         241,168
<DEPRECIATION>                                 148,728
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 515,108
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          103,401
<BONDS>                                         73,367
<COMMON>                                        47,768
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     252,199
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   515,108
<SALES>                                        207,083
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               211,729
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               162,296
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,920
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,946
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,004
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,942
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,942
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23