<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC. FIRST QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 125,600 <SECURITIES> 147,400 <RECEIVABLES> 99,400 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 57,700 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 166,900 <PP&E> 2,076,100 <DEPRECIATION> 540,100 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,223,600 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 727,000 <BONDS> 300,100 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 29,200 <OTHER-SE> 895,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,223,600 <SALES> 492,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 492,500 <CGS> 506,300 <TOTAL-COSTS> 506,300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,900 <INCOME-PRETAX> (12,600) <INCOME-TAX> (5,100) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,500) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (7,500) <EPS-BASIC> (.28) <EPS-DILUTED> (.28)