<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30
1996 10-Q FOR 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-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          25,991
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,073
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,752
<INVENTORY>                                     15,177
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               121,125
<PP&E>                                         265,143
<DEPRECIATION>                                 155,817
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 564,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          111,771
<BONDS>                                         69,617
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,056
<OTHER-SE>                                     234,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   564,195
<SALES>                                        364,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               369,602
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  290,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,335
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 73,415
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,625
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,790
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     43790
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .91