<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH
31, 1996 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-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          10,617
<SECURITIES>                                       200
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,474
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     16,973
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,408
<PP&E>                                         109,228
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 548,838
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          107,537
<BONDS>                                         70,319
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        93,917
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,026
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   548,838
<SALES>                                        242,768
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               242,768
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               193,925
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,988
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,943
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,198
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,745
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,745
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56