<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MEDIANEWS
GROUP INC'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,085
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,404
<INVENTORY>                                     16,439
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               150,341
<PP&E>                                         506,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                 146,236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,036,078
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          123,506
<BONDS>                                        842,884
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            23
<OTHER-SE>                                   (117,910)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,036,078
<SALES>                                        473,804
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               473,804
<CGS>                                          166,004
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  408,453
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,107
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,540
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,562
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,028
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,534
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,534
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.12