<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1998 10-Q FOR 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          33,245
<SECURITIES>                                    13,081
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,909
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,400
<INVENTORY>                                      1,346
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               111,215
<PP&E>                                         290,975
<DEPRECIATION>                                 166,271
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 664,134
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,290
<BONDS>                                        185,620
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        89,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     227,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   664,134
<SALES>                                        381,848
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               387,697
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               301,394
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,902
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,616
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,286
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,286
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03