<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DELTA AIR
LINES, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE RELATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             526
<SECURITIES>                                       504
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                        50
<INVENTORY>                                         87
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,687
<PP&E>                                          12,417
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,132
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  12,026
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,698
<BONDS>                                          2,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           249
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    12,026
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,629
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,964
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (44)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    10
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 106
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    603
<INCOME-TAX>                                       240
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                363
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       363
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.64