<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER 31, 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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 30,590 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,752 <ALLOWANCES> 4,398 <INVENTORY> 1,441 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 159,457 <PP&E> 246,110 <DEPRECIATION> 141,084 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 537,913 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 103,387 <BONDS> 52,103 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 93,381 <OTHER-SE> 235,975 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 537,913 <SALES> 117,756 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 119,668 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 87,256 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,742 <INCOME-PRETAX> 31,214 <INCOME-TAX> 12,106 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,108 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 19,108 <EPS-PRIMARY> .40 <EPS-DILUTED> .40