<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