<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH 31,
1999 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-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          15,859
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,701
<INVENTORY>                                      3,344
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                91,617
<PP&E>                                         314,642
<DEPRECIATION>                                 180,183
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 652,126
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,210
<BONDS>                                        186,133
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        88,636
<OTHER-SE>                                     247,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   652,126
<SALES>                                        261,745
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               265,273
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               208,770
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,252
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,152
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,545
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,607
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,607
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70