<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC THIRD QUARTER 1999 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           76800
<SECURITIES>                                    170100
<RECEIVABLES>                                    90500
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      54700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                495400
<PP&E>                                         1850500
<DEPRECIATION>                                  499700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1977200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           600600
<BONDS>                                         153900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         29100
<OTHER-SE>                                      884200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1977200
<SALES>                                        1580000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1580000
<CGS>                                          1399800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1399800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               11100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 194700
<INCOME-TAX>                                     77500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             117200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    117200
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.43