<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC FIRST QUARTER 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           18300
<SECURITIES>                                     59900
<RECEIVABLES>                                    82700
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      48300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                278600
<PP&E>                                         1244000
<DEPRECIATION>                                  365100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1308700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           497100
<BONDS>                                         397300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         17300
<OTHER-SE>                                      251600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1308700
<SALES>                                         380400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                380400
<CGS>                                           385800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   385800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                8400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (10100)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (4400)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (5700)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (5700)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.39)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .00