<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FOR THE LEE
ENTERPRISES JUNE 30, 1995 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                          56,713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,447
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,000
<INVENTORY>                                     13,289
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               137,657
<PP&E>                                         239,253
<DEPRECIATION>                                 145,765
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 526,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,244
<BONDS>                                         52,842
<COMMON>                                        47,547
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     258,558
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   526,908
<SALES>                                        322,479
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               328,835
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               249,918
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 72,414
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,037
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,377
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,377
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.91