<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH 31,
1997 FORM 10-Q FOR 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          62,515
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,182
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,552
<INVENTORY>                                      2,583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               129,128
<PP&E>                                         249,335
<DEPRECIATION>                                 144,931
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 505,381
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           96,395
<BONDS>                                         27,117
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        92,905
<OTHER-SE>                                     235,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   505,381
<SALES>                                        217,962
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               221,455
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               170,043
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,769
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,641
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,293
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,348
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,348
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66