SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO
10-Q, 1999-08-13
AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED
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               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
  X   QUARTERLY  REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
June 30, 1999     OR

____TRANSITION  REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE
SECURITIES  EXCHANGE  ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION  PERIOD  FROM
________ TO ________

Commission file No. 1-7259

                SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           TEXAS                             74-1563240
(State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)

     P.O. Box 36611, Dallas, Texas               75235-1611
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

                    (214) 792-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate  by check mark whether the registrant (1) has  filed  all
reports  required  to  be filed by Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for  such shorter period that the registrant was required to  file
such   reports),  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to   such   filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    X     No        .

Indicate  the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

     Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the  close
     of business on August 9, 1999:

                            504,030,721


                      SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
                             FORM 10-Q
                  Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements


                      Southwest Airlines Co.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                          (in thousands)
                            (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   June 30, 1999   December 31, 1998
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                             $487,635         $378,511
  Accounts receivable                                    116,785           88,799
  Inventories of parts and supplies                       60,803           50,035
  Deferred income taxes                                   21,252           20,734
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets               32,537           36,076
    Total current assets                                 719,012          574,155

Property and equipment:
  Flight equipment                                     5,121,969        4,709,059
  Ground property and equipment                          745,709          720,604
  Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts        403,688          309,356
                                                       6,271,366        5,739,019
  Less allowance for depreciation                      1,712,454        1,601,409
                                                       4,558,912        4,137,610
Other assets                                               4,370            4,231
                                                      $5,282,294       $4,715,996

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                      $176,701         $157,415
  Accrued liabilities                                    557,310          477,448
  Air traffic liability                                  292,893          200,078
  Income taxes payable                                    68,783                -
  Current maturities of long-term debt                     7,722           11,996
  Other current liabilities                                4,360            3,716
    Total current liabilities                          1,107,769          850,653

Long-term debt less current maturities                   617,207          623,309
Deferred income taxes                                    595,601          549,207
Deferred gains from sale and leaseback of                230,290          238,412
aircraft
Other deferred liabilities                                58,472           56,497
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock                                           335,937          335,904
  Capital in excess of par value                          89,878           89,820
  Retained earnings                                    2,249,814        2,044,975
  Treasury stock at cost                                  (2,674)         (72,781)

    Total stockholders' equity                         2,672,955        2,397,918
                                                      $5,282,294       $4,715,996
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.








                      Southwest Airlines Co.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
              (in thousands except per share amounts)
                            (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Three months ended June 30,  Six months ended June 30,
                                       1999         1998         1999         1998
<S>                                <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING REVENUES:
  Passenger                          $1,160,153   $1,030,238   $2,179,449   $1,925,027
  Freight                                25,186       24,283       50,279       49,425
  Other                                  35,093       24,320       66,275       47,042
    Total operating revenues          1,220,432    1,078,841    2,296,003    2,021,494

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Salaries, wages, and benefits         368,573      320,539      712,585      618,771
  Fuel and oil                          102,982       96,043      188,650      197,519
  Maintenance materials and repairs      85,145       75,211      174,636      146,700
  Agency commissions                     40,201       41,529       79,282       79,977
  Aircraft rentals                       49,898       50,747       99,704      101,164
  Landing fees and other rentals         60,708       54,042      118,691      104,596
  Depreciation                           59,542       53,996      116,328      105,976
  Other operating expenses              199,052      178,186      385,179      346,550
    Total operating expenses            966,101      870,293    1,875,055    1,701,253

OPERATING INCOME                        254,331      208,548      420,948      320,241

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
  Interest expense                       13,295       13,561       26,682       29,272
  Capitalized interest                   (9,109)      (6,481)     (16,093)     (12,717)
  Interest income                        (6,838)      (8,473)     (12,373)     (16,288)
  Other (gains) losses, net                 385       (6,606)      10,032      (10,630)
    Total other expenses (income)        (2,267)      (7,999)       8,248      (10,363)


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES              256,598      216,547      412,700      330,604
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES               98,841       83,154      159,096      127,203


NET INCOME                             $157,757     $133,393     $253,604     $203,401


NET INCOME PER SHARE:
  Basic                                   $ .31        $ .27        $ .50        $ .41
  Diluted                                 $ .29        $ .25        $ .47        $ .38

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
OUTSTANDING:
  Basic                                 503,531      502,164      502,349      501,116
  Diluted                               539,059      531,111      537,497      530,258

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.



                      Southwest Airlines Co.
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          (in thousands)
                            (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Six months ended June 30,
                                                 1999           1998
<S>                                         <C>            <C>
Net cash provided by operating
  activities                                  $673,138       $508,424

Investing activities:
  Net purchases of property and
    equipment                                 (568,790)      (471,815)

Financing activities:
  Payment of long-term debt and
    capital lease obligations                  (10,572)      (111,959)
  Payment of cash dividends                    (10,542)        (6,669)
  Proceeds from Employee stock plans            25,890         25,849

Net cash provided by (used in)
  financing activities                           4,776        (92,779)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents                             109,124        (56,170)
Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of period                          378,511        623,343

Cash and cash equivalents at
  end of period                               $487,635       $567,173

Cash payments for:
  Interest, net of amount
    capitalized                                $11,408        $20,351
  Income taxes                                 $29,244        $31,251

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.



                      SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
      Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


      1.    Basis  of  presentation - The  accompanying  unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements of Southwest  Airlines
Co.  (Company)  have  been prepared in accordance  with  generally
accepted  accounting principles for interim financial  information
and  with  the  instructions  to  Form  10-Q  and  Article  10  of
Regulation  S-X.   Accordingly, they do not  include  all  of  the
information   and   footnotes  required  by   generally   accepted
accounting  principles  for  complete  financial  statements.  The
condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the   interim
periods  ended  June  30,  1999 and 1998 include  all  adjustments
(which  include only normal recurring adjustments) which  are,  in
the  opinion  of management, necessary for a fair presentation  of
the  results for the interim periods.  Operating results  for  the
three  and  six  month  periods  ended  June  30,  1999  are   not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year  ended December 31, 1999.  For further information, refer  to
the   consolidated  financial  statements  and  footnotes  thereto
included in the Southwest Airlines Co. Annual Report on Form  10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998.

      2.    Dividends - During the three month periods ended  June
30,  1999  and March 31, 1999, dividends of $.0055 per  share  and
$.005  per  share were declared, respectively, on the  503,581,881
and  501,949,689 shares of common stock then outstanding.   During
the  three  month periods ended June 30, 1998 and March 31,  1998,
$.0044 per share in dividends were declared on the 502,280,503 and
501,031,778 shares of common stock then outstanding.

      3.   Common stock - On July 22, 1998, the Company's Board of
Directors  declared  a  three-for-two  stock  split,  distributing
111,894,315  shares  on August 20, 1998.  On  May  20,  1999,  the
Company's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split,
distributing 167,954,962 shares on July 19, 1999.  All  per  share
data   presented   in  the  accompanying  consolidated   financial
statements  and notes thereto have been restated for  these  stock
splits.


     4. Net income per share - The following table sets forth the
computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands
except per share amounts):

[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
                                              Three months ended   Six months ended
                                                    June 30,           June 30,
                                            1999      1998      1999      1998
<S>                                      <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>
NUMERATOR:
  Net income available to common
    stockholders - numerator for basic
    and diluted earnings per share         $157,757  $133,393  $253,604  $203,401

DENOMINATOR:
  Weighted-average shares
    outstanding, basic                      503,531   502,164   502,349   501,116
  Dilutive effect of Employee stock
    options                                  35,528    28,947    35,148    29,142
  Adjusted weighted-average shares
    outstanding, diluted                    539,059   531,111   537,497   530,258

NET INCOME PER SHARE:
  Basic                                       $0.31     $0.27     $0.50     $0.41
  Diluted                                     $0.29     $0.25     $0.47     $0.38

</TABLE>



Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
          Operations and Financial Condition

Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics

      Relevant  operating statistics for the three and  six  month
periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:

[CAPTION]
<TABLE>

                                 Three months ended June 30,
                                  1999         1998          Change
<S>                           <C>          <C>              <C>
Revenue passengers carried      14,816,803   13,766,338          7.6 %
Revenue passenger miles
  (RPMs) (000s)                  9,471,014    8,225,141         15.1 %
Available seat miles
  (ASMs) (000s)                 12,947,815   11,712,905         10.5 %
Load factor                           73.1%        70.2%         2.9 pts.
Average length of
  passenger haul                       639          597          7.0 %
Trips flown                        210,029      200,977          4.5 %
Average passenger fare              $78.30       $74.84          4.6 %
Passenger revenue yield
  per RPM (cents)                    12.25        12.53         (2.2)%
Operating revenue yield
  per ASM (cents)                     9.43         9.21          2.4 %
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)    7.46         7.43          0.4 %
Fuel costs per gallon,
  excluding fuel tax (cents)         44.36        45.13         (1.7)%
Number of Employees at
  period-end                        26,818       24,387         10.0 %
Size of fleet at period-end            294          273          7.7 %

</TABLE>

[CAPTION]
<TABLE>

                                  Six months ended June 30,
                                  1999         1998        Change
<S>                           <C>          <C>            <C>
Revenue passengers carried      27,750,381   25,615,024         8.3 %
Revenue passenger miles
  (RPMs) (000s)                 17,517,498   15,123,988        15.8 %
Available seat miles
  (ASMs) (000s)                 25,340,794   22,983,079        10.3 %
Load factor                           69.1%        65.8%        3.3 pts.
Average length of
  passenger haul                       631          590         6.9 %
Trips flown                        412,575      396,154         4.1 %
Average passenger fare              $78.54       $75.15         4.5 %
Passenger revenue yield
  per RPM (cents)                    12.44        12.73        (2.3)%
Operating revenue yield
  per ASM (cents)                     9.06         8.80         3.0 %
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)    7.40         7.40         0.0 %
Fuel costs per gallon,
  excluding fuel tax (cents)         41.92        47.62       (12.0)%
Number of Employees at
  period-end                        26,818       24,387        10.0 %
Size of fleet at period-end            294          273         7.7 %

</TABLE>

Material Changes in Results of Operations

     Consolidated net income for the second quarter ended June 30,
1999 was $157.8 million ($.29 per share, diluted), as compared  to
the  second  quarter 1998 net income of $133.4 million  ($.25  per
share,  diluted), an increase of 18.3 percent.  For the six months
ended  June  30,  1999, net income was $253.6  million  ($.47  per
share,  diluted), an increase of 24.7 percent over the first  half
of  1998  net income of $203.4 million ($.38 per share,  diluted).
The prior year's earnings per share amounts have been restated for
the  1999 and 1998 three-for-two stock splits (see Note 3  to  the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

      Consolidated operating revenues increased 13.1  percent  for
the  second  quarter of 1999 and 13.6 percent for the  six  months
ended  June 30, 1999 compared to the corresponding periods of  the
prior  year  primarily  due  to  12.6  percent  and  13.2  percent
increases, respectively, in consolidated passenger revenues.   The
increases in passenger revenues resulted from 7.6 percent and  8.3
percent  increases in revenue passengers carried, and 15.1 percent
and  15.8 percent increases in revenue passenger miles (RPMs)  for
the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1999, respectively.
The  passenger  revenue  yield per RPM decreased  2.2  percent  to
$.1225 for the three months ended June 30, 1999 and decreased  2.3
percent to $.1244 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 primarily
due  to  an  increase in average length of passenger haul  of  7.0
percent and 6.9 percent, respectively, partially offset by  a  4.6
percent and 4.5 percent increase in average passenger fare.

     The increase in RPMs of 15.1 percent and 15.8 percent for the
three  and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively,  exceeded
the  increase in available seat miles (ASMs) of 10.5  percent  and
10.3  percent  for these same periods resulting  in  a  2.9  point
increase  in  load factor to 73.1 percent for second quarter  1999
and  a 3.3 point increase to 69.1 percent for the six months ended
June 30, 1999.  The increases in ASMs resulted primarily from  the
net addition of 21 aircraft since second quarter 1998.

      Strong load factor and revenue trends continued in July. The
load  factor  for July 1999  was 75.6  percent, up 2.5 points from
July  1998's load  factor  of  73.1  percent.  Thus  far, bookings
for  August and  September  are  also strong.     (The immediately
preceding  sentence is a  forward-looking  statement that involves
uncertainties  that  could  result  in  actual  results  differing
materially from expected results. Some significant factors include,
but may not  be  limited   to,  competitive pressure  such as fare
sales and  capacity  changes by other carriers,  general  economic
conditions, and  variations  in advance  booking trends.)

     Consolidated freight revenues increased 3.7 percent in second
quarter  1999  and 1.7 percent for the six months ended  June  30,
1999  as  compared to the same periods of the  prior  year.    The
increases  are  primarily  due to modest  rate  increases  by  the
Company and a higher mix of premium rate shipments as a percentage
of total unit  volume.   The  increases  were less  than  capacity
growth, however, due primarily to the postal service continuing to
shift business  away from  commercial  carriers.   Other  revenues
increased 44.3 percent in the second quarter 1999 and 40.9 percent
for  the six months ended June 30, 1999 primarily due to increased
revenues  from  the  sale of frequent  flyer  segment  credits  to
participating partners  in  the Company's Rapid  Rewards  frequent
flyer  program, and an increase in charter revenue.


     Operating expenses per ASM increased .4 percent for the three
months  ended  June 30, 1999 and remained unchanged  for  the  six
months  ended  June 30, 1999 as compared to the  same  prior  year
periods.  For second quarter 1999 compared to second quarter 1998,
operating  expenses  per  ASM increased in  salaries,  wages,  and
benefits, and were partially offset by decreases in travel  agency
commissions and aircraft rental expense.  For the six months ended
June 30, 1999 compared to the same prior year period, expenses per
ASM  increased  in salaries, wages, and benefits and  maintenance,
but  were  offset  by  a  decline  in  average  jet  fuel  prices.
Excluding jet fuel costs, operating expenses per ASM were  up  1.8
percent for the first half of 1999 versus the first half of  1998.
Based  on current trends, the Company expects modest increases  in
nonfuel  unit  costs for third quarter 1999 in comparison  to  the
same  1998  period.   (The  immediately preceding  sentence  is  a
forward-looking statement that involves uncertainties  that  could
result  in  actual  results  differing  materially  from  expected
results.   Such uncertainties include, but may not be limited  to,
general economic conditions.)

                      Southwest Airlines Co.
                   Operating Expenses per ASM
                 (in cents except percent change)
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>

                                 Three months ended June 30,      Six months ended June 30,
                                             Inc/  Percent                Inc/  Percent
                               1999   1998  (Dec)  Change   1999   1998  (Dec)  Change
<S>                           <C>     <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>   <C>
Salaries, wages, and benefits   2.39   2.32    .07     3.0   2.41   2.35    .06     2.6
Employee profitsharing and
  savings plans                  .46    .42    .04     9.5    .39    .35    .04    11.4
Fuel and oil                     .80    .82   (.02)   (2.4)   .74    .86   (.12)  (14.0)
Maintenance materials
  and repairs                    .66    .64    .02     3.1    .69    .64    .05     7.8
Agency commissions               .31    .35   (.04)  (11.4)   .31    .35   (.04)  (11.4)
Aircraft rentals                 .39    .43   (.04)   (9.3)   .39    .44   (.05)  (11.4)
Landing fees and other           .47    .46    .01     2.2    .47    .45    .02     4.4
rentals
Depreciation                     .46    .46      -       -    .46    .46      -       -
Other operating expenses        1.52   1.53   (.01)    (.7)  1.54   1.50    .04     2.7

Total                           7.46   7.43    .03      .4   7.40   7.40    .00     (.0)
</TABLE>


  Salaries, wages, and benefits per ASM increased 3.0 percent  and
2.6  percent  in  the three and six month periods ended  June  30,
1999,  respectively.   These  increases  were  primarily  due   to
increased  workers'  compensation  costs,  higher  effective  wage
rates, and increased health care costs.

      Profitsharing  and Employee savings plans  expense  per  ASM
increased 9.5 percent and 11.4 percent for the three and six month
periods  ended  June 30, 1999, respectively, as  compared  to  the
corresponding  periods of the prior year primarily due  to  higher
earnings available for profitsharing in 1999.

      Fuel and oil expense per ASM decreased 2.4 percent and  14.0
percent  for the three and six month periods ended June 30,  1999,
respectively,  as  compared to the corresponding  periods  of  the
prior year.  For second quarter 1999, the Company recognized gains
due  to  hedging activities of approximately $10.5 million,  which
more  than offset an increase in average jet fuel price per gallon
compared  to second quarter 1998.  Before hedging activities,  the
average  price  paid  for  jet fuel was approximately  $.4893  per
gallon  in  second quarter 1999 compared to $.4513 per  gallon  in
same   prior  year  period.   Including  the  effects  of  hedging
activities, the average cost of jet fuel was $.4436 per gallon for
second quarter 1999.  For the first half of 1999, the average cost
of  jet  fuel was $.4192 per gallon compared to $.4762 per  gallon
during  the same period of 1998, including the effects of  hedging
activities.   As  of August 9, 1999, the Company  has  hedged  its
exposure  to fuel price increases with both fixed swap  agreements
and purchased crude oil call options totaling approximately 22% of
its third quarter 1999 anticipated fuel requirements.  The average
price  paid  for  jet  fuel in July 1999 was  $.5485  per  gallon,
excluding gains from hedging activities.

      Maintenance  materials and repairs  per  ASM  increased  3.1
percent and 7.8 percent for the three and six month periods  ended
June  30,  1999,  respectively, as compared to  the  corresponding
periods  of 1998.  The increases are primarily due to more routine
heavy maintenance activities being outsourced throughout the first
half of 1999.  The outsourcing of this maintenance was due to  the
Company's   aircraft  growth  currently  exceeding  the  available
headcount  and  facilities necessary to  perform  the  maintenance
internally.  Additionally, for the first half of 1999, the Company
experienced an increase in maintenance costs due to higher  engine
overhaul  costs  related to the Company's 737-200 aircraft,  which
are  not covered by the Company's engine maintenance contract with
General   Electric  Engine  Services,  Inc.   This   increase   in
maintenance  was  primarily due to an increase in  the  number  of
engine  overhauls and the average cost per overhaul.  The  Company
currently  expects  third  quarter 1999 maintenance  costs  to  be
higher on a per ASM basis than third quarter 1998 due primarily to
the  continued  outsourcing of routine heavy  maintenance  and  an
increase  in  737-200  aircraft  engine  overhaul  expense.   (The
immediately preceding sentence is a forward-looking statement that
involves  uncertainties  that  could  result  in  actual   results
differing  materially from expected results.   Such  uncertainties
include,  but  may  not be limited to, any unanticipated  required
aircraft airframe or engine repairs.)

      Agency  commissions per ASM decreased 11.4 percent for  both
the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1999 as compared to
the  same  periods  of 1998, primarily due to a  decrease  in  the
percentage   of   commissionable  sales.    Commissionable   sales
represented 33.4 percent and 35.1 percent of total sales in second
quarter  1999 and the first half of 1999, respectively, down  from
37.2 percent and 39.1 percent in the same 1998 periods.

      Aircraft  rentals per ASM decreased 9.3 percent  for  second
quarter  1999 and 11.4 percent for the six months ended  June  30,
1999  as compared to the same periods of 1998, primarily due to  a
lower percentage of the aircraft fleet being leased.

      Landing fees and other rentals increased 2.2 percent and 4.4
percent per ASM for the three and six month periods ended June 30,
1999,  respectively,  as compared to the  same  periods  of  1998.
These  increases were primarily due to the Company's expansion  of
facilities  in  several  airports where the  Company  already  had
existing service as well as the start of service to new airports.

     Depreciation expense per ASM was flat for second quarter 1999
and for the six months ended June 30, 1999 as compared to the same
periods of 1998.  Although the Company experienced an increase  in
depreciation expense per ASM due to a higher percentage  of  owned
aircraft, this increase was offset by an increase in the estimated
useful lives of the Company's Boeing 737-300/500 aircraft from  20
years  to  23 years.  This change in accounting estimate was  made
January 1, 1999 and resulted in a decrease in depreciation expense
of  approximately $6.4 million for second quarter 1999  and  $12.8
million for the first half of 1999.  This revision will result  in
similar savings for remaining 1999 periods compared to 1998.

      Other  operating  expenses per ASM  decreased  slightly  for
second  quarter 1999, but increased 2.7 percent for the six months
ended June 30, 1999 as compared to the same periods of 1998.   The
increase  for the first half of 1999 was primarily due  to  higher
credit  card  processing  costs and  increased  advertising  costs
associated  with  beginning service to two new cities  during  the
first half of 1999 versus one new city in the first half of 1998.

      Other  expenses (income) for the three and six month periods
ended  June  30,  1999,  included  interest  expense,  capitalized
interest,  interest income, and other gains and losses.   Interest
expense  was  relatively flat for second quarter 1999 compared  to
the  same  period in 1998.  For the first half of  1999,  interest
expense  decreased approximately 8.8 percent as  compared  to  the
same period of 1998, due primarily to the February 1998 redemption
of $100 million of senior unsecured 9 1/4% Notes originally issued
in February 1991.  Capitalized interest increased $2.6 million and
$3.4  million for the three and six month periods ended  June  30,
1999,  respectively, as a result of higher 1999  progress  payment
balances  for  scheduled  future  aircraft  deliveries.   Interest
income decreased for the three and six months ended June 30,  1999
due  to lower invested cash balances.  Other losses for the  first
half  of 1999 resulted primarily from a write-down associated with
the   consolidation  of  certain  software  development  projects;
whereas  other gains in second quarter 1998 and the first half  of
1998  primarily consisted of contractual penalties  received  from
Boeing due to delays in the delivery of 737-700 aircraft.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      Net cash provided by operating activities was $673.1 million
for  the  six months ended June 30, 1999 and $1,050.8 million  for
the  12 months then ended.  Cash generated for the 12 months ended
June  30,  1999  was  primarily used to  finance  aircraft-related
capital  expenditures,  provide working  capital,  and  repurchase
approximately  $100  million of the Company's  outstanding  common
stock.   The  Company began and completed this repurchase  program
during third quarter 1998.

      During  the  12  months  ended June 30,  1999,  net  capital
expenditures were $1,044.1 million, which primarily related to the
purchase  of 24 new 737-700 aircraft, three used 737-300 aircraft,
five  used  737-200  aircraft, and progress  payments  for  future
aircraft deliveries.  The five 737-200 aircraft were previously on
lease by Southwest prior to being purchased.

           The Company's contractual commitments consist primarily
of  scheduled  aircraft acquisitions. During the six months  ended
June  30,  1999,  the Company exercised options  to  purchase  six
Boeing 737-700 aircraft for accelerated delivery in the year 2000,
and  options  for  six  additional  Boeing  737-700  aircraft  for
accelerated  delivery in late 2000 and early 2001.   In  addition,
the Company has acquired and placed in service two used Boeing 737
- -300s  thus  far  in 1999.  As of July 31, 1999, 15  737-700s  are
scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 1999, 31 in 2000, 23 in
2001,  21  in 2002, five in 2003, and five in 2004.  In  addition,
the Company has options to purchase up to 62 737-700s during 2003-
2006.  The  Company has the option, which must  be  exercised  two
years  prior to the contractual delivery date, to substitute  737-
600s  or  737-800s for the 737-700s scheduled subsequent to  1999.
Aggregate  funding needed for fixed commitments at July  31,  1999
was approximately $2,288 million at April 30, 1999 due as follows:
$320.8 million in 1999; $689.4 million in 2000; $520.1 million  in
2001;  $515.8 million in 2002; $152.8 million in 2003;  and  $89.1
million in 2004.

     The Company has various options available to meet its capital
and operating commitments, including cash on hand at June 30, 1999
of  $487.6  million, internally generated funds, and  a  revolving
credit  line with a group of banks of up to $475 million (none  of
which  had been drawn at June 30, 1999).  In addition, the Company
will  also  consider  various  borrowing  or  leasing  options  to
maximize earnings and supplement cash requirements.

     The Company currently has outstanding shelf registrations for
the issuance of $318.8 million in public debt securities which  it
may utilize for aircraft financing during 1999 and 2000.

      The  Company  began  new  service  to  Raleigh-Durham  North
Carolina   on   June   6,   1999,   with   nonstop   service    to
Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Chicago Midway,  Tampa  Bay,  and
Orlando.   The Company recently announced new service  to  Bradley
International  Airport  in  Hartford,  Connecticut  beginning   on
October    31,    1999    with   daily    nonstop    service    to
Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Chicago Midway, and Orlando.

Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure

      The Year 2000 issue results from the fact that many computer
programs were previously written using two digits rather than four
to  define the applicable year.  Programs written in this way  may
recognize a date ending in "00" as the year 1900 rather  than  the
year   2000.    This   could  result  in  a  system   failure   or
miscalculations  causing  business  delays  and   disruptions   of
operations.  The Company is following an enterprise-wide Year 2000
program  to  take the necessary actions to become Year 2000  ready
and  ensure  business continuity now and into  the  next  century.
This program encompasses information technology systems as well as
embedded  technology assets and an assessment of  material  third-
party relationships and associated risks.

        The   Company's   program   consists   of   five   phases:
identification  of  all  products,  services,  vendors,  etc.   to
determine  if they could potentially be affected by the Year  2000
issue;  assessment  includes  the  prioritization  of  each   item
according to its significance to the Company's operations and  the
determination  of a strategy for remediation; remediation  entails
the  execution of plans to make an item Year 2000 ready  including
replacement, modifying computer codes, retirement, or verification
of  whether  or not an item has date codes; testing  includes  the
validation  of  whether an item is Year 2000 ready by  using  date
simulation techniques; and implementation, which involves  putting
an item in use in the Company's operations.

FLIGHT  SAFETY SYSTEMS    The Company has completed all phases  of
its  Year  2000  project as it relates to its aircraft  fleet  and
onboard  support systems.  The Company does not believe there  are
any safety issues in regard to these systems and believes they are
Year  2000  ready.   The  Company also  utilizes  ground  computer
systems  and  equipment essential for the maintenance of  aircraft
and  the  management  of flight operations.   All  phases  of  the
project   with   respect  to  these  systems  and  equipment   are
essentially  completed with the exception of  a  system  which  is
dependent  on  a third party provider's completion  of  Year  2000
readiness, now scheduled for early fourth quarter.

INTERNAL  SYSTEMS     The  Company's vital and  critical  internal
systems include computer hardware, software, and related equipment
for  customer reservations, ticketing, flight and crew scheduling,
revenue  management,  accounting  functions,  and  payroll.   Also
included   are   non-information  systems  that  support   airport
activities  such  as aircraft ground handling, bag  handling,  and
security.   Although some of these systems are still currently  in
the  testing  phase,  virtually all of  the  Company's  vital  and
critical  systems are Year 2000 ready, with the remaining  systems
expected  to  be ready by year-end.  While all  vital and critical
systems are expected to be Year 2000 ready by year-end, the Company
also  believes it  has or  will have  contigency plans in place to
ensure  there  will not be a  material disruption in the Company's
operations.   Additionally, the Company has established procedures
to  review  all new  potential  vital  and  critical hardware  and
software  purchases and  development to  ensure they are Year 2000
ready.

     The   Company's  non-information  systems  primarily  include
electrical   systems,   telephone  systems,  elevators,   security
systems,  etc.   For  non-information  systems,  the  Company  has
performed  some  internal  testing, but has  primarily  relied  on
positive assurances it has received from original manufacturers or
suppliers of those non-information systems where no date logic  is
involved.

THIRD  PARTIES  As part of its Year 2000 assessment,  the  Company
has also considered the compliance of third parties with which the
Company  has  a  material  relationship, namely  its  vendors  and
governmental  agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration
("FAA").  The Company has categorized its third party vendors with
respect  to  their potential impact on Company operations  in  the
event  any such third party vendor has Year 2000 issues which  are
not  dealt with on a timely basis.  The Company has contacted  all
of  its  material third party vendors and is continuing to monitor
and  evaluate  their  statements of Year  2000  compliance.    The
Company   has   utilized  many  different  methods  in   obtaining
assurances  from  third parties including questionnaires,  written
statements,   obtaining  publicly  filed  documents,   etc.,   and
continually  updates  information received  as  new  data  becomes
available.  The Company has also visited several of its vital  and
critical  third  party vendors for the sole purpose  of  observing
Year  2000  testing  and  processes.   In  addition,  the  Company
continues  to  work  with  other  members  of  the  Air  Transport
Association,   the  airline  industry  trade   group,   to   share
information  and resources regarding vendors which are  common  to
the entire industry.

      The  FAA  has  stated  that all of their  internal  systems,
including  systems that involve the operation of the nation's  air
traffic control system, are now fully compliant for the Year 2000.
Systems  controlled  by  the FAA are directly  involved  with  air
safety,  including  radar screens and radio transmissions,  ground
traffic  control,  airport  weather  reports,  and  remote   radio
beacons.

      In  management's  experience, it is not always  possible  to
obtain  written certification of Year 2000 compliance  from  third
party  vendors. Accordingly, in such cases, the Company is  basing
its  assessment on its own testing, other materials made available
by  such  vendors,  and other publicly available information.  The
timetables  disclosed are all based on the most recent information
that  has  been made available to the Company, including oral  and
written assurances from third party vendors.  The Company does not
currently expect any material impact on its operations as a result
of third party products; however, this expectation is based on the
timeliness and accuracy of those assurances.  The Company  expects
the  evaluation and assessment of third parties will be an ongoing
process through the balance of 1999.

YEAR  2000  COSTS      The Company currently anticipates  it  will
spend  approximately $16 million on Year 2000 compliance, of which
approximately $13.9 million has been spent through June 30,  1999.
The  majority  of the previously expensed amounts  have  been  for
third  party Year 2000 consultants, full-time associates, and  new
hardware and software purchases.  The Company also purchased  Year
2000  hardware and software testing and data aging tools  that  it
has  utilized on internal systems.  The majority of the  remaining
expense  is  expected to be for full-time associates dedicated  to
the  Year 2000 compliance effort.  All previous as well as  future
expenditures on Year 2000 compliance have or will be  expensed  as
incurred from operating cash flow.

RISK  OF  YEAR  2000 ISSUES  The Company believes its  project  to
ensure  Year  2000 readiness will be completed in a timely  manner
and  Year  2000 issues will not have a material adverse effect  on
operations.   However,  it  is possible  the  Company's  or  third
parties'  systems  and  equipment could fail  and  result  in  the
reduction  or suspension of the Company's operations.  This  could
in   turn   have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company's
operations.  The Company currently believes its most likely  worst
case scenario could involve delays and possibly cancellations of a
small  percentage of the Company's scheduled flights on the  first
few  days  of  the  Year 2000.  This scenario  would  most  likely
result  from airport delays and other factors out of the Company's
control.   If  delays  do happen, however, the  Company  does  not
believe they would last for an extended period of time or cause  a
major disruption in the Company's operations.

The   Company  has  developed  contingency  plans  to  deal   with
situations  that occur from time to time in the normal  course  of
business, including weather emergencies, system and power outages,
etc.   The Company is in the process of augmenting those plans  to
include  plans  that deal with different Year 2000  scenarios  the
Company  believes  could possibly occur.   Contingency  plans  are
being  established within each department of the Company to ensure
there   are   minimal  internal  disruptions  in   the   Company's
operations.   The Company continues to work closely with  each  of
the  airports it serves to ensure all potential Year 2000  related
issues  are  addressed in a timely manner.  The  Company's  senior
management meets on a regular basis to discuss the progress of its
own  Year  2000  effort as well as the status of the  airports  it
serves and its third party vendors.

The  costs of the project, the dates on which the Company believes
it  will complete the Year 2000 modifications and assessments, and
the  Company's  analysis of its risk in this  area  are  based  on
management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous
assumptions of future events, including the continued availability
of  certain  resources.   There can be  no  guarantee  that  these
estimates  will  be  achieved  and  actual  results  could  differ
materially  from those anticipated.  Specific factors  that  might
cause  such material differences include, but are not limited  to,
the  availability and cost of personnel trained in this  area  and
the  ability to locate and correct all relevant computer code,  as
well as the cooperation needed from third party vendors and others
upon whom the Company must rely.



Item  3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures  About  Market
Risk

      See Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market  Risk in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K  for  the
year ended December 31, 1998.



                    PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

          The  Company  received a statutory notice of  deficiency
          from  the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") in  which
          the  IRS proposed to disallow deductions claimed by  the
          Company  on  its  federal income  tax  returns  for  the
          taxable years 1989 through 1991 for the costs of certain
          aircraft inspection and maintenance procedures.  The IRS
          has  proposed similar adjustments to the tax returns  of
          numerous  other  members of the  airline  industry.   In
          response  to  the  statutory notice of  deficiency,  the
          Company filed a petition in the United States Tax  court
          on  October 30, 1997, seeking a determination  that  the
          IRS  erred in disallowing the deductions claimed by  the
          Company and that there is no deficiency in the Company's
          tax  liability for the taxable years in  issue.   It  is
          expected  that  the  Tax Court's decision  will  not  be
          entered for several years.  Management believes that the
          final  resolution of this controversy will  not  have  a
          materially adverse effect upon the results of operations
          of the Company.


Item 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

          None

Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities

          None

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

          The Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held in
          Dallas,  Texas on Thursday, May 20, 1999.  The following
          matter was voted on at the meeting:  An Amendment to the
          Company's  Articles  of Incorporation  to  increase  the
          authorized number of shares of Common Stock was approved
          by  the shareholders.  391,195,518 shares were voted for
          the  amendment; 46,825,422 shares were voted against the
          amendment; 1,253,571 shares abstained from voting.

Item 5.   Other Information

          None


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          a)   Exhibits

               12   Calculation  of  Ratio of Earnings  to  Fixed
                    Charges
               27.1 Financial Data Schedule
               27.2 Restated 1999 Financial Data Schedule
               27.3 Restated 1998 Financial Data Schedules
               27.4 Restated 1997 Financial Data Schedule

          b)   Reports on Form 8-K

                         None







                            SIGNATURES


      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act
of  1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be  signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.





August 13, 1999                   /s/ Gary C. Kelly
Date                              Gary C. Kelly
                                  Vice President - Finance and
                                  Chief Financial Officer
                                  (Principal Financial and
                                  Accounting Officer)





                         INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number                      Exhibit

12        Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
27.1      Financial Data Schedule
27.2      Restated 1999 Financial Data Schedule
27.3      Restated 1998 Financial Data Schedules
27.4      Restated 1997 Financial Data Schedule





                                                  EXHIBIT 12


                      SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
         CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                          ($ in millions)

[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
                              Six Months
                             Ended June 30          Year Ended December 31,

                           1999    1998    1998    1997    1996    1995    1994
<S>                      <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Earnings
  Income before income
    taxes and cumulative
    effect of accounting
    changes               $412.7  $330.6  $705.1  $517.0  $341.4  $305.1  $299.5
  Add:  Fixed charges       91.9    95.3   190.0   198.5   184.1   169.1   141.6
  Less:  Interest
    capitalized             16.1    12.7    25.6    19.8    22.3    31.4    26.3
    Total                 $488.5  $413.2  $869.5  $695.7  $503.2  $442.8  $414.8

Fixed charges
  Interest expense         $10.6   $16.6   $30.7   $43.7   $37.0   $27.4   $27.1
  Add:  Interest
    capitalized             16.1    12.7    25.6    19.8    22.3    31.4    26.3
  Gross interest expense    26.7    29.3    56.3    63.5    59.3    58.8    53.4
  Add:  Interest factor
    of operating
    lease expense           65.2    66.0   133.7   135.0   124.8   110.3    88.2
    Total                  $91.9   $95.3  $190.0  $198.5  $184.1  $169.1  $141.6

Ratio of earnings to
   fixed charges            5.32    4.34    4.58    3.50    2.73    2.62    2.93

</TABLE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000092380
<NAME> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         487,635
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  116,785
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     60,803
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               719,012
<PP&E>                                       6,271,366
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,712,454
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,282,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,107,769
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       335,937
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,337,018
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,282,294
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,296,003
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,875,055
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                412,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                   159,096
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            253,604
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   253,604
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.47
<FN>
On May 20, 1999, the Company's Board
of Directors declared a three-for-two stock
split on the Company's Common Stock,
distributed on July 19, 1999.  All per share
data in this exhibit have been restated to
give effect to the stock split
</FN>


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000092380
<NAME> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                             <C>
<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
                                0
                                          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>                                  908,954
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,387
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                156,102
<INCOME-TAX>                                    60,255
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             95,847
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    95,847
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18

<FN>
On May 20, 1999, the Company's Board
of Directors declared a three for two stock
split on the Company's Common Stock,
distributed on July 19, 1999.  All per share
data in this exhibit have been restated to
give effect to the stock split.
</FN>


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000092380
<NAME> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             JUN-30-1998             SEP-30-1998             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         509,948                 567,173                 452,184                 378,511
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  116,533                 112,064                 109,811                  88,799
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     47,918                  47,242                  48,814                  50,035
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               721,212                 777,140                 659,203                 574,155
<PP&E>                                       5,037,877               5,271,353               5,467,945               5,739,019
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,424,036               1,483,915               1,544,809               1,601,409
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,339,211               4,568,608               4,586,288               4,715,966
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          886,294                 931,424                 896,209                 850,653
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
                                0                       0                       0                       0
                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                       222,958                 223,430                 335,904                 335,904
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,872,675               2,010,379               1,934,768               2,062,014
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,339,211               4,568,608               4,586,288               4,715,996
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               942,653               2,021,494               3,116,234               4,163,980
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  830,960               1,701,253               2,592,164               3,480,369
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,711                  29,272                  42,731                  56,276
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,057                 330,604                 541,659                 705,112
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,049                 127,203                 208,613                 271,681
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             70,008                 203,401                 333,046                 433,431
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,008                 203,401                 333,046                 433,431
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.14                    0.41                    0.67                    0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13                    0.38                    0.63                    0.82

<FN>
On May 20, 1999, the Company's
Board of Directors declared a
three-for-two split on the Company's
Common Stock distributed on
July 19,1999.  All per share data in
this exhibit have been restated to
give effect to the stock split.
</FN>


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000092380
<NAME> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         623,343
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   76,530
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     52,376
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               806,416
<PP&E>                                       4,811,324
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,375,631
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,246,160
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          868,513
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       221,207
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,787,811
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,246,160
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,816,821
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,292,585
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              63,454
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                516,956
<INCOME-TAX>                                   199,184
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            317,772
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   317,772
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.62
<FN>
On May 20, 1999, the Company's Board
of Directors declared a three-for-two stock
split on the Company's Common Stock,
distributed on July 19, 1999.  All per share
data in this exhibit have been restated to
give effect to the stock split.
</FN>


</TABLE>


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