<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMARY FINANCIAL INFROMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1997 FORM 10Q OF 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          70,106
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,658
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,132
<INVENTORY>                                      2,021
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               138,733
<PP&E>                                         252,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                 147,622
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 513,658
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           97,439
<BONDS>                                         27,021
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        92,802
<OTHER-SE>                                     243,131
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   513,658
<SALES>                                        328,717
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               334,148
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               253,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,115
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,376
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,269
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,107
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,485
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,592
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04