<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC. THIRD QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         137,500
<SECURITIES>                                   245,900
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     61,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               699,300
<PP&E>                                       2,244,800
<DEPRECIATION>                                 574,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,461,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          781,200
<BONDS>                                        406,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     861,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,461,800
<SALES>                                      1,644,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,644,800
<CGS>                                        1,611,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,611,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                     (56,900)
<NET-INCOME>                                  (41,400)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.56)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.56)