<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1995 10-Q OF LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
TO REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          29,907
<SECURITIES>                                       200
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,597
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,300
<INVENTORY>                                     16,848
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,592
<PP&E>                                         257,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                 148,720
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 579,426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          126,253
<BONDS>                                         75,109
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,796
<OTHER-SE>                                     225,910
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   579,426
<SALES>                                        126,655
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               126,655
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   08,092
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,555
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,535
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,940
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,940
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33