[ARTICLE] 5
[CIK] 0000092380
[NAME] SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
[MULTIPLIER] 1000
[PERIOD-TYPE] 3-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] DEC-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] JAN-01-1999
[PERIOD-END] MAR-31-1999
[CASH] 405,574
[SECURITIES] 0
[RECEIVABLES] 116,124
[ALLOWANCES] 0
[INVENTORY] 52,108
[CURRENT-ASSETS] 619,416
[PP&E] 5,994,498
[DEPRECIATION] 1,649,481
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 4,968,871
[CURRENT-LIABILITIES] 999,058
[BONDS] 0
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY] 0
[PREFERRED] 0
[COMMON] 335,937
[OTHER-SE] 2,174,061
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY] 4,968,871
[SALES] 0
[TOTAL-REVENUES] 1,075,571
[CGS] 0
[TOTAL-COSTS] 908,594
[OTHER-EXPENSES] 0
[LOSS-PROVISION] 0
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 13,387
[INCOME-PRETAX] 156,102
[INCOME-TAX] 60,225
[INCOME-CONTINUING] 95,847
[DISCONTINUED] 0
[EXTRAORDINARY] 0
[CHANGES] 0
[NET-INCOME] 95,847
[EPS-PRIMARY] 0.29
[EPS-DILUTED] 0.27