<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH
31, 1998 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         165,727
<SECURITIES>                                    12,885
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,601
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,600
<INVENTORY>                                      1,378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               239,478
<PP&E>                                         284,766
<DEPRECIATION>                                 161,556
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 791,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          234,727
<BONDS>                                        185,546
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        89,670
<OTHER-SE>                                     225,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   791,529
<SALES>                                        248,845
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               252,604
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               198,758
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,050
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,514
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,195
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,195
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64