<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains unaudited summary financial information extracted from
the consolidated financial statements of Central Newspapers, Inc. as of and for
the periods ended March 30, 1997, June 29, 1997, September 28, 1997 and
December 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
statements.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>           3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>       DEC-28-1997             DEC-28-1997             DEC-28-1997             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>            MAR-30-1997             JUN-29-1997             SEP-28-1997             DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                        59447                   50065                   55751                   36924
<SECURITIES>                  11952                   10268                   11794                   11524
<RECEIVABLES>                 79893                   82913                   81013                   92666
<ALLOWANCES>                   2546                    3010                    3092                    2959
<INVENTORY>                    8697                   11605                   11481                   10320
<CURRENT-ASSETS>             170401                  165833                  175055                  162106
<PP&E>                       520254                  525217                  530163                  537134
<DEPRECIATION>               224593                  233796                  243088                  250451
<TOTAL-ASSETS>               622714                  613547                  620920                  614311
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>         91723                  119219                  114870                   97367
<BONDS>                        2678                    2678                    2678                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>         18920                   18920                   18920                   18920
<PREFERRED>                       0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                      25826                   26794                   27973                   29997
<OTHER-SE>                   372148                  332784                  340840                  352282
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 622714                  613547                  620920                  614311
<SALES>                      170968                  350721                  524628                  716137
<TOTAL-REVENUES>             170968                  350721                  524628                  716137
<CGS>                             0                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                139960                  280877                  424236                  575100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                174                     990                    1613                    2166
<LOSS-PROVISION>                  0                       0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               25                     437                     748                    1710
<INCOME-PRETAX>               32100                   71405                  102143                  143189
<INCOME-TAX>                  13534                   29552                   42304                   58797
<INCOME-CONTINUING>           17738                   40131                   57609                   81495
<DISCONTINUED>                    0                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                   0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                         0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                  17738                   40131                   57609                   81495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   .67                    1.53                    2.22                    3.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                   .66                    1.49                    2.16                    3.08
        

</TABLE>