<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC. FIRST QUARTER 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           64600
<SECURITIES>                                     74300
<RECEIVABLES>                                   115100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      45700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                354800
<PP&E>                                         1105100
<DEPRECIATION>                                  349100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1263000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           417100
<BONDS>                                         505200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         17000
<OTHER-SE>                                      193400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1263000
<SALES>                                         351400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                351400
<CGS>                                           355900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   355900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               11100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (13500)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (6300)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (7200)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (7200)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .00