<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FORM 10-K FOR LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          14,163
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,997
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,600
<INVENTORY>                                      3,716
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                93,967
<PP&E>                                         272,441
<DEPRECIATION>                                 152,415
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 650,963
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          248,908
<BONDS>                                         26,174
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        91,017
<OTHER-SE>                                     228,373
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   650,963
<SALES>                                        439,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               446,686
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               342,535
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,321
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                101,222
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,477
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,745
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,485
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,230
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36