<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC. SECOND QUARTER 1999 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999 <CASH> 67,800 <SECURITIES> 253,500 <RECEIVABLES> 99,800 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 50,100 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 575,600 <PP&E> 1,699,100 <DEPRECIATION> 480,700 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,928,700 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 625,900 <BONDS> 160,300 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 29,100 <OTHER-SE> 828,500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,928,700 <SALES> 990,900 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 990,900 <CGS> 897,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 897,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 103,500 <INCOME-TAX> 41,200 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 62,300 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 62,300 <EPS-BASIC> 02.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 02.35