<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC SECOND QUARTER 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           53000
<SECURITIES>                                     52100
<RECEIVABLES>                                    89200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      46000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                323700
<PP&E>                                         1208700
<DEPRECIATION>                                  358800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1324800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           453500
<BONDS>                                         483700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         17200
<OTHER-SE>                                      227500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1324800
<SALES>                                         768100
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                768100
<CGS>                                           732900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   732900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               20900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  19400
<INCOME-TAX>                                      8600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              10800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     10800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66