Exhibit 5




                                 April 24, 1997


                               OPINION OF COUNSEL



Securities and Exchange Commission
Room 1004
450 Fifth Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We  have  acted  as  counsel  for  Lee  Enterprises,  Incorporated,  a  Delaware
corporation  (the "Company"),  in connection with the Registration  Statement on
Form S-3 (the  "Registration  Statement")  of 3,293,286  shares of the Company's
Common Stock, par value of $2.00 (the "Shares").

As counsel for the Company,  we have examined the corporate  organization of the
Company and we have made such other  examinations  as we have  deemed  necessary
and/or appropriate, including the Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to
the Shares, as a basis for the opinions  hereinafter  expressed.  Based upon and
subject to the foregoing  and subject to the  qualifications  stated  below,  we
express the following opinions:

The Shares will be legally issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of the
Company's Common Stock, $2.00 par value.

We  consent to the  filing of this  opinion  as an  exhibit to the  Registration
Statement.

                                                 Sincerely,

                                                 /s/ Lane & Waterman