<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           49400
<SECURITIES>                                     52400
<RECEIVABLES>                                    71000
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1300
<INVENTORY>                                      47800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                300200
<PP&E>                                         1215200
<DEPRECIATION>                                  351800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1311400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           485800
<BONDS>                                         404100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         17200
<OTHER-SE>                                      255300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1311400
<SALES>                                        1592200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1592200
<CGS>                                          1503200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1503200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               38400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  64300
<INCOME-TAX>                                     26300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              38000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     38000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.05