LEE ENTERPRISES INC
10-Q, 1999-05-06
NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

[ x ]  Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
       Securities Exchange Act of 1934
       For Quarter Ended March 31, 1999
                                       OR
[   ]  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
       Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          Commission File Number 1-6227

                          Lee Enterprises, Incorporated

A Delaware Corporation                                          I.D. #42-0823980
215 N. Main Street, Davenport, Iowa  52801
Phone:  (319) 383-2100

Indicate  by a check  mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ x ] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practical date.

       Class                                       Outstanding at March 31, 1999
- ---------------------------------------            -----------------------------
Common stock, $2.00 par value                                 32,827,441
Class "B" Common Stock, $2.00 par value                       11,490,555




<PAGE>


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  Item. 1.
                          LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                      (In Thousands Except Per Share Data)
<TABLE>


                                                  Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                                       March 31,               March 31,
                                                  --------------------   ---------------------                                   
                                                    1999         1998        1999       1998
                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>   

Operating revenue:
   Publishing:
      Daily newspaper:
        Advertising ...........................   $ 45,829    $ 43,224   $ 100,719    $ 95,229
        Circulation ...........................     20,159      20,227      40,848      41,018
      Other ...................................     28,800      25,337      57,516      50,396
   Broadcasting ...............................     27,072      30,947      62,662      62,202
   Equity in net income of associated companies      1,736       1,610       3,978       3,759
                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                   123,596     121,345     265,723     252,604
                                                  --------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
   Compensation costs .........................     48,697      47,174     100,000      94,842
   Newsprint and ink ..........................      9,107       9,574      19,935      20,136
   Depreciation ...............................      5,185       4,700      10,270       9,320
   Amortization of intangibles ................      4,477       4,473       8,880       8,929
   Other ......................................     33,977      31,676      69,685      65,531
                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                   101,443      97,597     208,770     198,758
                                                  --------------------------------------------

          Operating income ....................     22,153      23,748      56,953      53,846
                                                  --------------------------------------------
Financial (income) expenses, net
   Financial (income) .........................       (235)     (1,188)     (1,451)     (1,718)
   Financial expense ..........................      2,986       4,344       7,252       8,050
                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                     2,751       3,156       5,801       6,332
                                                  --------------------------------------------

          Income  before taxes on income ......     19,402      20,592      51,152      47,514
Income taxes ..................................      7,434       7,981      19,545      18,319
                                                  --------------------------------------------
          Net income ..........................    $11,968     $12,611     $31,607     $29,195
                                                  ============================================
Average outstanding shares:
   Basic ......................................     44,246      44,990      44,257      45,153
                                                  ============================================
   Diluted ....................................     44,859      45,783      44,851      45,904
                                                  ============================================

Earnings per share:
   Basic ......................................   $   0.27    $   0.28    $   0.71    $   0.65
                                                  ============================================
   Diluted ....................................   $   0.27    $   0.28    $   0.70    $   0.64
                                                  ============================================

Dividends per share ...........................   $   0.15    $   0.14    $   0.30    $   0.28
                                                  ============================================

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands)
<TABLE>
                                                                                        
                                                                                        March 31,  September 30, 
ASSETS                                                                                    1999        1998   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>    

Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................ $  15,859  $ 16,941
Accounts receivable, net .............................................................    60,199    61,880
Newsprint inventory ..................................................................     3,344     3,878
Program rights and other .............................................................    12,215    16,892
                                                                                       -------------------
          Total current assets .......................................................    91,617    99,591

Investments ..........................................................................    27,139    26,471
Property and equipment, net ..........................................................   134,459   128,372
Intangibles and other assets .........................................................   398,911   406,151
                                                                                       -------------------
                                                                                       $ 652,126  $660,585
                                                                                       ===================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current liabilities .................................................................. $  72,210  $ 98,061
Long-term debt, less current maturities ..............................................   186,133   186,028
Deferred items .......................................................................    57,510    56,737
Stockholders' equity .................................................................   336,273   319,759
                                                                                       -------------------
                                                                                       $ 652,126  $660,585
                                                                                       ===================

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
<TABLE>

                                                                                           1999             1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                  <C>                <C>   

Six Months Ended March 31:
   Cash Provided by Operations:
      Net income ...................................................................  $  31,607          $  29,195
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
        by operations:
        Depreciation and amortization ..............................................     19,150             18,249
        Distributions in excess of earnings of associated companies ................      1,650              1,287
        Other balance sheet changes ................................................     (1,151)              (245)
                                                                                      ----------------------------
          Net cash provided by operations ..........................................     51,256             48,486
                                                                                      ----------------------------

   Cash Provided by (Required For) Investing Activities:
      Purchase of property and equipment ...........................................    (16,301)           (12,518)
      Acquisitions .................................................................     (2,147)              (250)
      Other ........................................................................       (127)              (379)
                                                                                      ----------------------------
          Net cash provided by (required for) investing activities .................    (18,575)           (13,147)
                                                                                      ----------------------------

   Cash Provided by (Required for) Financing Activities:
      Purchase of common stock .....................................................     (2,265)           (32,888)
      Cash dividends paid ..........................................................     (6,654)            (6,383)
      Proceeds from long-term borrowings ...........................................       --              185,000
      Principal payments on long-term debt .........................................    (25,000)           (25,000)
      Principal payments on short-term notes payable, net ..........................       --               (5,000)
      Other ........................................................................        156                496
                                                                                       ---------------------------
          Net cash provided by (required for) financing activities .................    (33,763)           116,225
                                                                                       ---------------------------

          Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ................................     (1,082)           151,564

   Cash and cash equivalents:
      Beginning ....................................................................     16,941             14,163
                                                                                       ---------------------------
      Ending .......................................................................   $ 15,859           $165,727
                                                                                       ===========================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>




LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             


Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

The  information  furnished  reflects  all  adjustments,  consisting  of  normal
recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair
presentation  of the financial  position as of March 31, 1999 and the results of
operations  for the three- and  six-month  periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
and cash flows for the six-month periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.


Note 2.  Investment in Associated Companies

Condensed  operating results of Madison  Newspapers,  Inc. (50% owned) and other
unconsolidated associated companies are as follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
                                                                   
                                                             Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended
                                                                 Marh 31,                         March 31,
                                                         ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                             1999          1998            1999          1998
                                                         ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>    

Revenues                                                 $ 21,660        $ 20,242         $ 45,250       $ 42,027
Operating expenses, except
   depreciation and amortization                           15,487          14,427           31,114         28,672
Income before depreciation and amortization,
   interest, and taxes                                      6,173           5,815           14,136         13,355
Depreciation and amortization                                 756             717            1,549          1,430
Operating income                                            5,417           5,098           12,587         11,925
Financial income                                              363             291              686            623
Income before income taxes                                  5,780           5,389           13,273         12,548
Income taxes                                                2,285           2,169            5,316          5,030
Net income                                                  3,495           3,220            7,957          7,518
</TABLE>


Note 3.  Cash  Flows Information
The components of other balance sheet changes are:
<TABLE>
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                Six Months Ended
                                                                                                    March 31, 
                                                                                            ----------------------------
                                                                                                 1999          1998
                                                                                            ----------------------------
                                                                                                    (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                                        <C>            <C>   

(Increase) decrease in receivables                                                          $   244        $(3,035)
Decrease in inventories, film rights and other                                                1,347          3,986
(Decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and
   unearned income                                                                           (3,556)        (1,689)
Increase in income taxes payable                                                                163            433
Other, primarily deferred items                                                                 651             60
                                                                                            ----------------------------
                                                                                            $(1,151)       $  (245)
                                                                                            ============================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>



Note 4. Change in Accounting Principles

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
and Statement No. 131  "Disclosures  about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information".   Statement   No.  130   establishes   standards   for   reporting
comprehensive income in financial statements.  Statement No. 131 expands certain
reporting and disclosure  requirements for segments from current standards.  The
Company adopted these standards  effective for the fiscal year beginning October
1, 1998. The adoption of these new standards did not result in material  changes
to previously reported amounts or disclosures.


Note 5.  Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share (in thousands except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
                                                                                                                   
                                                         
                                                             Three Months Ended              Six Months Ended  
                                                                  March 31,                      March 31,
                                                         ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                              1999          1998            1999          1998
                                                         ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>    
Numerator, income applicable to common
   shares, net income                                     $  11,968      $  12,611      $  31,607      $  29,195
                                                         ==========================================================

Denominator:
   Basic-weighted average common shares
      outstanding                                            44,246         44,990         44,257         45,153
   Dilutive effect of employee stock options                    613            793            594            751
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------
   Diluted outstanding shares                                44,859         45,783         44,851         45,904
                                                         ==========================================================

Earnings per share:
   Basic                                                  $    0.27      $    0.28      $    0.71       $   0.65
   Diluted                                                     0.27           0.28           0.70           0.64
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

Operations by line of business are as follows (dollars in thousands,  except per
share data):
<TABLE>
                                                                          
                                      Three Months Ended       Percent        Six Months Ended        Percent 
                                           March 31,           Increase           March 31,           Increase
                                    -------------------------            --------------------------
                                         1999         1998    (Decrease)       1999         1998     (Decrease)
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>
Revenue:
   Publishing                       $  96,524    $  90,398       6.8%     $  203,061    $  190,402      6.6%
   Broadcasting                        27,072       30,947     (12.5)         62,662        62,202      0.7
                                    ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
                                    $ 123,596    $ 121,345       1.9%     $  265,723    $  252,604      5.2%
                                    ===================================== ======================================

Income before depreciation and
   amortization, interest and
    taxes (EBITDA): *
   Publishing                       $  30,474    $  27,132      12.3%     $  66,194     $  61,838       7.0%
   Broadcasting                         4,674        8,394     (44.3)        17,202        16,817       2.3
   Corporate                           (3,333)      (2,605)    (27.9)        (7,293)       (6,560)    (11.2)
                                    ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
                                    $  31,815    $  32,921      (3.4)%    $  76,103     $  72,095       5.6%
                                    ===================================== ======================================

Operating income:
   Publishing                       $  24,025    $  21,110      13.8%     $  53,302     $  49,720       7.2%
   Broadcasting                         1,846        5,579     (66.9)        11,653        11,259       3.5
   Corporate                           (3,718)      (2,941)    (26.4)        (8,002)       (7,133)    (12.2)
                                    ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
                                    $  22,153    $  23,748      (6.7)%    $  56,953     $  53,846       5.8%
                                    ===================================== ======================================

Capital expenditures:
   Publishing                       $  5,184     $  5,696                 $  10,777     $  8,327
   Broadcasting                        2,247        1,755                     5,142        3,205
   Corporate                            --            720                       382          986
                                    --------------------------            ---------------------------
                                    $  7,431 $      8,171                 $  16,301     $  12,518
                                    ==========================            ===========================

<FN>
*  EBITDA is not a financial  performance  measurement under generally  accepted
   accounting  principles (GAAP), and should not be considered in isolation or a
   substitute for GAAP performance measurements. EBITDA is also not reflected in
   our  consolidated  statement of cash flows; but it is a common and meaningful
   alternative  performance measurement for comparison to other companies in our
   industry.
</FN>
</TABLE>
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

PUBLISHING

Wholly-owned daily newspaper  advertising  revenue increased  $2,605,000,  6.0%.
Advertising  revenue from local  merchants  increased  $1,131,000,  4.8%.  Local
"run-of-press"  advertising  increased  $754,000,  4.7%,  as a result  of a 3.7%
increase in advertising inches. Local preprint revenue increased $377,000, 5.1%.
Classified  advertising revenue increased $650,000,  4.1%, as a result of a 4.7%
increase  in  advertising   inches  offset  by  a  decrease  in  average  rates.
Circulation  revenue  was flat  due to  promotional  pricing  and  minimal  rate
increases.

Other  revenue  consists  of revenue  from  weekly  newspapers,  classified  and
specialty  publications,  commercial  printing,  products  delivered outside the
newspaper  (which include  activities such as target marketing and special event
production) and editorial service contracts with Madison Newspapers, Inc.
<PAGE>
Other revenue by category and by property is as follows:
<TABLE>
                                                                                              1999            1998
                                                                                          ----------------------------
                                                                                                 (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                                       <C>             <C>    
Weekly newspapers, classified and specialty publications:
   Properties owned for entire period ..........................................            $  17,140       $  16,657
   Acquired since September 30, 1997 ...........................................                2,521             106
Commercial printing ............................................................                3,805           3,360
Products delivered outside the newspaper .......................................                2,938           2,831
Editorial service contracts ....................................................                2,396           2,383
                                                                                          ----------------------------
                                                                                            $  28,800       $  25,337
                                                                                          ============================ 

</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain items in the
publishing segment .............................................................
<TABLE>
                                                                                                               
                                                                                             1999             1998       
                                                                                          -----------------------------
Revenue ........................................................................              100.0%          100.0%
                                                                                          -----------------------------  
<S>                                                                                           <C>             <C>    

Compensation costs .............................................................               35.9            36.1
Newsprint and ink ..............................................................                9.4            10.6
Other operating expenses .......................................................               23.1            23.3
                                                                                          -----------------------------
                                                                                               68.4            70.0
                                                                                          -----------------------------

Income before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes ...................               31.6            30.0
Depreciation and amortization ...................................................               6.7             6.6
                                                                                          -----------------------------
Operating margin wholly-owned properties .......................................               24.9%           23.4%
                                                                                          =============================
</TABLE>
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

Exclusive  of the effects of  acquisitions,  costs other than  depreciation  and
amortization   increased  $1,027,000,   1.6%.   Compensation  expense  increased
$1,205,000,  3.7%, due primarily to increase in average compensation.  Newsprint
and ink costs decreased  $(616,000),  (6.4%), due primarily to lower prices paid
for newsprint.  Other operating costs exclusive of depreciation and amortization
increased  $438,000,  2.1%,  due to higher  distribution  expense and other cost
increases.

BROADCASTING

Revenue  for  the  quarter  decreased   $(3,875,000),   (12.5%),   as  political
advertising   decreased   $(112,000),    (84.2%)   and   local/regional/national
advertising decreased $(2,612,000),  (9.9%), primarily due to the absence of the
Winter  Olympics  advertising  on our  CBS-affiliates  and the Super Bowl on our
NBC-affiliates.  Production  revenue and revenues from other services  decreased
$(916,000),  (32.4%),  as a result of the  discontinuance of certain  production
services  and loss of NBA  production  during the  strike.  Advertising  revenue
growth  may be  unfavorably  affected  later in the year due to the  absence  of
primary elections and increase in competitive conditions.
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain items in the
broadcasting segment.
<TABLE>
                                                                                                    1999          1998
                                                                                                --------------------------

Revenue                                                                                             100.0%       100.0%
                                                                                                --------------------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>          <C>    
Compensation costs                                                                                   46.5         42.2
Programming costs                                                                                     8.7          6.7
Other operating expenses                                                                             27.5         24.0
                                                                                                --------------------------
                                                                                                     82.7         72.9
                                                                                                --------------------------

Income before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes                                         17.3         27.1
Depreciation and amortization                                                                        10.4          9.1
                                                                                                --------------------------
Operating margin wholly-owned properties                                                              6.9%        18.0%
                                                                                                ==========================
</TABLE>
Compensation costs decreased  $(478,000),  (3.7%), due to decreases in incentive
compensation  and  hours  worked  related  to the  reduced  level of  production
services. Programming costs for the quarter increased $271,000, 13.1%, primarily
due to accelerated  amortization on new programming.  Other operating  expenses,
exclusive of  depreciation  and  amortization,  increased  $52,000,  .7%, due to
reduced costs related to production services which offset other cost increases.

CORPORATE COSTS

Corporate costs increased by $777,000,  26.4%.  The prior year period costs were
lower due to one time cost reduction.

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

FINANCIAL EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES

Interest expense decreased due to payments on long-term debt.

Income taxes were 38.3% and 38.8% of pretax income for the quarters  ended March
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

PUBLISHING

Wholly-owned daily newspaper  advertising  revenue increased  $5,490,000,  5.8%.
Advertising  revenue from local  merchants  increased  $3,178,000,  5.8%.  Local
"run-of-press"  advertising  increased  $2,553,000,  6.9%, as a result of a 6.4%
increase in advertising inches. Local preprint revenue increased $625,000, 3.5%.
Classified advertising revenue increased $1,349,000, 4.3%, as a result of higher
averages rates and a 1% increase in advertising  inches. The employment category
was the biggest contributor to the increase.
Circulation  revenue  was flat  due to  promotional  pricing  and  minimal  rate
increases.

Other  revenue  consists  of revenue  from  weekly  newspapers,  classified  and
specialty  publications,  commercial  printing,  products  delivered outside the
newspaper  (which include  activities such as target marketing and special event
production) and editorial service contracts with Madison Newspapers, Inc.
<PAGE>
Other revenue by category and by property is as follows:
<TABLE>

                                                                                              1999            1998
                                                                                         -------------------------------
                                                                                                 (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                                        <C>              <C>    

Weekly newspapers, classified and specialty publications:                                  
   Properties owned for entire period                                                       $  34,662         $  33,199
   Acquired since September 30, 1997                                                            4,370               106
Commercial printing                                                                             7,952             7,180
Products delivered outside the newspaper                                                        5,939             5,409
Editorial service contracts                                                                     4,593             4,502
                                                                                         -------------------------------
                                                                                            $  57,516         $  50,396
                                                                                         ===============================
</TABLE>
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain items in the
publishing segment.
<TABLE>

                                                                                                 1999          1998
                                                                                            ------------------------------

Revenue                                                                                          100.0%        100.0%
                                                                                            ------------------------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>           <C>    

Compensation costs                                                                                34.8          34.4
Newsprint and ink                                                                                  9.8          10.6
Other operating expenses                                                                          22.8          22.5
                                                                                            ------------------------------
                                                                                                  67.4          67.5
                                                                                            ==============================
Income before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes                                      32.6          32.5
Depreciation and amortization                                                                      6.3           6.4
                                                                                            ------------------------------
Operating margin wholly-owned properties                                                          26.3%         26.1%
                                                                                            ==============================
</TABLE>
Exclusive  of the effects of  acquisitions,  costs other than  depreciation  and
amortization   increased  $5,065,000,   3.9%.   Compensation  expense  increased
$3,622,000,  5.5%, due primarily to increase in average compensation.  Newsprint
and ink costs decreased  $(467,000),  (2.3%), due primarily to lower prices paid
for newsprint.  Other operating costs exclusive of depreciation and amortization
increased  $1,910,000,  4.5%, due to higher distribution expenses and other cost
increases.

BROADCASTING

Revenue increased $460,000, .7%, political advertising increased $4,925,000,
759.4% while local/regional/national advertising decreased $(2,610,000), (4.9%),
primarily  due  to  the  absence  of  the  Winter  Olympics  advertising  on our
CBS-affiliates  and the Super Bowl on our  NBC-affiliates in the second quarter.
Production  revenue and revenues  from other  services  decreased  $(1,284,000),
(25.0%),  as a result of the discontinuance of certain  production  services and
loss of NBA production during the strike.
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain items in the
broadcasting segment.
<TABLE>

                                                                                              1999         1998
                                                                                          -------------------------

Revenue                                                                                       100.0%       100.0%
                                                                                          --------------------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>          <C>    
Compensation costs                                                                             41.2         41.5
Programming costs                                                                               7.5          6.9
Other operating expenses                                                                      23 .8          24.6
                                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                                               72.5          73.0
                                                                                          --------------------------

Income before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes                                   27.5          27.0
Depreciation and amortization                                                                   8.9           8.9
                                                                                          --------------------------
Operating margin wholly-owned properties                                                       18.6%         18.1%
                                                                                          ==========================
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,1999.
</TABLE>

Compensation  costs were flat as higher average rates were offset by a reduction
in the hours  worked  related  to  production  services  and to a lesser  extent
reductions in incentive compensation. Programming costs for the period increased
$409,000,  9.5%,  primarily due to accelerated  amortization on new programming.
Other operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization,  decreased
$(339,000),  (2.2%) due to a reduced level of production  services  which offset
other cost increases.

CORPORATE COSTS

Corporate  costs  increased by  $869,000,  12.2%.  The increase  occurred in the
second quarter as previously discussed.


FINANCIAL EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES

Interest expense decreased due to payments on long-term debt.

Income  taxes  were 38.2% and 38.6% of pretax  income  for the six months  ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by operations, which is the Company's primary source of liquidity,
generated  $51,256,000 for the six month period ended March 31, 1999.  Available
cash balances, cash flow from operations,  and a $50,000,000 bank line of credit
provide adequate liquidity.  Covenants related to the Company's credit agreement
are  not  considered  restrictive  to  operations  and  anticipated  stockholder
dividends.

YEAR 2000

The Year 2000 issue  concerns  the  inability  of  information  technology  (IT)
systems  and  equipment  utilizing  microprocessors  to  recognize  and  process
date-sensitive information after 1999 due to the use of only the last two digits
to refer to a year.  This  problem  could  affect  both  computer  software  and
hardware and other  equipment  that relies on  microprocessors.  Management  has
completed  a  company-wide  evaluation  of this impact on its IT systems and its
date-sensitive  publishing  equipment.  The evaluation of critical  broadcasting
equipment is  continuing.  Year 2000 software  updates for  identified  critical
date-sensitive  broadcasting  equipment have been obtained and will be tested by
June 30, 1999. Broadcasting equipment is believed to be 80% tested and Year 2000
compliant.  Renovation  and testing have been  completed on all  significant  IT
systems  that  utilize  company-developed  software  that  were  not  Year  2000
compliant.  The Company has received  representations  and completed  testing to
determine that significant  software developed by others is Year 2000 compliant.
Installation of a new Year 2000-compliant  financial system is approximately 90%
complete  and is planned to be  complete by July 31,  1999.  Testing of computer
hardware for IT systems is approximately  90% complete.  Renovation  efforts and
testing of systems/equipment are expected to be complete by June 30, 1999.
<PAGE>


The Company will monitor the progress of material  vendors and  suppliers  whose
uninterrupted  delivery of product or service is material to the  production  or
distribution of our print and broadcast products in their efforts to become Year
2000  compliant.  Material  vendors and suppliers  include  electric  utilities,
telecommunications,  news and  content  providers,  television  networks,  other
television  programming  suppliers,  the  U.S.  Postal  Service,  and  financial
institutions.

From  September  30,  1994  through  March  31,  1999,  the  Company  has  spent
approximately  $500,000 to address Year 2000 issues for IT systems (exclusive of
the cost of the new financial,  newspaper production and other systems that were
scheduled to be replaced  before the year 2000 for reasons  other than Year 2000
compliance).  Total  costs to  address  Year  2000  issues  for IT  systems  are
currently  estimated to be less than  $1,000,000 and consist  primarily of staff
and consultant  costs.  Year 2000  remediation  will require the  replacement of
telephone  switches  and software at a cost of $600,000 to  $1,000,000.  Through
March  31,  1999  approximately  $300,000  had  been  spent  for  new  telephone
equipment.  Funds for these costs are  expected to be provided by the  operating
cash flows or bank line of credit of the Company.

The Company could be faced with severe  consequences if Year 2000 issues are not
identified  and resolved in a timely  manner by the Company and  material  third
parties. A worst-case  scenario would result in the short-term  inability of the
Company to produce/distribute newspapers or broadcast television programming due
to unresolved Year 2000 issues. This would result in lost revenues; however, the
amount  would be  dependent  on the length and nature of the  disruption,  which
cannot be predicted or  estimated.  In light of the possible  consequences,  the
Company is devoting the resources needed to address Year 2000 issues in a timely
manner.  Management monitors the progress of the Company's Year 2000 efforts and
provides update reports to the audit committee of the Board of Directors at each
meeting. While management expects a successful resolution of these issues, there
can be no guarantee that material third  parties,  on which the Company  relies,
will  address  all Year 2000 issues on a timely  basis or that their  failure to
successfully address all issues would not have an adverse effect on the Company.

The Company is in the process of  reviewing  its existing  contingency  plans in
case business  interruptions  do occur.  Management  expects the review of these
plans to be complete by June 30, 1999.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This report contains certain  forward-looking  statements that are based largely
on the Company's current  expectations and are subject to certain risks, trends,
and  uncertainties  that could cause actual  results to differ  materially  from
those  anticipated.  Among such risks,  trends, and uncertainties are changes in
advertising  demand,  newsprint  prices,  interest  rates,  regulatory  rulings,
availability of quality broadcast programming at competitive prices; quality and
ratings of network  over-the-air  broadcast programs,  legislative or regulatory
initiatives affecting the cost of delivery of over-the-air broadcast programs to
the  Company's  customers,  and  other  economic  conditions  and the  effect of
acquisitions,   investments,  and  dispositions  on  the  Company's  results  of
operations or financial condition.  The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate,"
"intends," "plans," "projects,"  "considers," and similar expressions  generally
identify  forward-looking  statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such  forward-looking  statements,  which are as of the date of this
report. Further information concerning the Company and its businesses, including
factors  that  potentially  could  materially  affect  the  Company's  financial
results, is included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.
<PAGE>


                          LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 4. Submission of matters a vote of security holders

(a) The annual meeting of the Company was held on January 26, 1999.

(b) Rance E. Crain,  Richard D. Gottlieb,  and Phyllis  Sewell were  re-elected
     directors of three-year terms expiring at the 2002 annual meeting. Lloyd G.
     Schermer was  re-elected  as a director for a one-year term expiring at the
     2000 annual meeting.  Directors  whose terms of office  continued after the
     meeting include: J.P. Guerin, Charles E. Rickershauser,  Jr., Mark Vittert,
     Andrew E.  Newman,  Ronald L.  Rickman,  Gordon D.  Prichett and William E.
     Mayer.

(c) Votes were cast, all by proxy, for nominees for director as follows:
<TABLE>
                                                                 Vote
                                                  For          Withheld
                                            ------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>    
    Rance E. Crain                            111,627,978      1,362,617
    Richard D. Gottlieb                       111,516,213      1,474,382
    Phyllis Sewell                            111,235,400      1,755,195
    Lloyd G. Schermer                         111,210,414      1,780,181
</TABLE>
               
    Abstentions and broker non-votes were not significant.

(d) Not applicable

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits:


(b) There were no reports on Form 8-K required to be filed
during the quarter for which this report is filed.
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                     LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED


Date  May 6, 1999                    /s/ G. C. Wahlig, Chief Accounting Officer
      ------------------------      -------------------------------------------
                                     G. C. Wahlig, Chief Accounting Officer




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<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
       
<S>                             <C>
<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
                                0
                                          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
        


</TABLE>


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