<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DELTA AIR
LINES, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE RELATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             882
<SECURITIES>                                       505
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,135
<ALLOWANCES>                                        50
<INVENTORY>                                         68
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,112
<PP&E>                                          11,964
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,989
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  12,139
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,703
<BONDS>                                          2,171
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           249
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,267
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    12,139
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,432
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,994
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (14)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  54
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    398
<INCOME-TAX>                                       160
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                238
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       238
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.98