<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1997 FORM 10-Q OF 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          23,147
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,096
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,600
<INVENTORY>                                      2,011
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,011
<PP&E>                                         276,750
<DEPRECIATION>                                 156,896
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 656,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          256,397
<BONDS>                                         25,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,262
<OTHER-SE>                                     228,115
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   656,945
<SALES>                                        129,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               131,259
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               101,161
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,706
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,922
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,338
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,584
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,584
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36