<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000810332
<NAME> MESA AIR GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          54,720
<SECURITIES>                                     5,300
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,377
<ALLOWANCES>                                       272
<INVENTORY>                                     26,956
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               134,475
<PP&E>                                         515,850
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 678,491
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,615
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       100,876
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,790
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   678,491
<SALES>                                        500,363
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               500,363
<CGS>                                          452,369
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  452,369
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    91
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,777
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,519
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,112
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,407
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,407
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0