<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC FIRST QUARTER 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           77700
<SECURITIES>                                    173400
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<INVENTORY>                                      46400
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<PP&E>                                         1391600
<DEPRECIATION>                                  416900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1602300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           519400
<BONDS>                                         334700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         23100
<OTHER-SE>                                      530000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1602300
<SALES>                                         416400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                416400
<CGS>                                           393900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   393900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                6800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  22000
<INCOME-TAX>                                      8900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              13100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     13100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56