
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the General
Dynamics Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997, and the
related Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             336
<SECURITIES>                                       105
<RECEIVABLES>                                      234
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        702
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1689
<PP&E>                                            1576
<DEPRECIATION>                                     984
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4091
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1291
<BONDS>                                            157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           220
<OTHER-SE>                                        1695
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4091
<SALES>                                           4062
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  4062
<CGS>                                             3616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     3616
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    479
<INCOME-TAX>                                       163
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                316
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       316
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.50
        

</TABLE>
