<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC THIRD QUARTER 1995 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
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<SECURITIES>                                     85443
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<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                353507
<PP&E>                                         1160712
<DEPRECIATION>                                  325154
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1352373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           442716
<BONDS>                                         560634
<COMMON>                                         16715
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
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<OTHER-SE>                                      196063
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1352373
<SALES>                                        1076394
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              18033
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