-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DFElx2hrpi2omOces7sbK1EFkHTnCYm5QugnCqpxigPDxY8wtLG7Q2EhY99W/YkH
 yeckLQzafJgEH3mKEY9QjA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001183010-04-000105.txt : 20041117
<SEC-HEADER>0001183010-04-000105.hdr.sgml : 20041117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041117121602
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001183010-04-000105
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041117

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOPSON JAMES W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001122492

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06227
		FILM NUMBER:		041151403

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3163243246

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LEE ENTERPRISES INC
		STREET 2:		215 N MAIN ST STE 400
		CITY:			DAVENPORT
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52801

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEE ENTERPRISES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000058361
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NEWSPAPERS:  PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711]
		IRS NUMBER:				420823980
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 PUTNAM BLDG
		STREET 2:		215 N MAIN ST
		CITY:			DAVENPORT
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3193832100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 PUTNAM BUILDING
		STREET 2:		215 N. MAIN STREET
		CITY:			DAVENPORT
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52801
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>hopsonform4031_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000058361</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LEE ENTERPRISES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LEE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001122492</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOPSON JAMES W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>201 N. HARRISON ST., STE. 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAVENPORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>52801</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President - Publishing</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>911</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10154</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2001-11-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.46</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-11-14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-11-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.49</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2002-11-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.49</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-11-13</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-11-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>43.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>43.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-12</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-11-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 41 shares purchased under the Issuer's ESPP and dividend reinvestment since the filing of the Reporting Person's
last Form 4.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities are exercisable as follows: 30% upon the first anniversary date of the grant; 60% upon the second
anniversary date of the grant; and 100% upon the third anniversary date of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Edmund H. Carroll, Lmtd. POA, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----