
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the General Dynamics
Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 28, 1997, and the 
related consolidated Statement of Earnings for the nine months ended 
September 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety to such financial 
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                             202
<SECURITIES>                                       643
<RECEIVABLES>                                      170
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1888
<PP&E>                                            1618
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1110
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    3492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              887
<BONDS>                                             40
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           138
<OTHER-SE>                                        1718
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      3492
<SALES>                                           2961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  2961
<CGS>                                             2632
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     2632
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    353
<INCOME-TAX>                                       120
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                233
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       233
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.68
        

</TABLE>
