<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FORM 10-K OF LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 29,427
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 44,556
<ALLOWANCES> 3,344
<INVENTORY> 4,280
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 251,566
<PP&E> 247,732
<DEPRECIATION> 120,376
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 746,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 117,627
<BONDS> 173,400
0
0
<COMMON> 87,620
<OTHER-SE> 307,547
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 746,233
<SALES> 422,136
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 431,513
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 325,601
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,445
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,643
<INCOME-PRETAX> 110,215
<INCOME-TAX> 40,340
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 69,875
<DISCONTINUED> 13,788
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 83,663
<EPS-BASIC> 1.90
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.89
</TABLE>