WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the General Dynamics
Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996, and the related
consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and
is qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   QTR-1
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             205
<SECURITIES>                                       825
<RECEIVABLES>                                      148
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        561
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  2099
<PP&E>                                            1223
<DEPRECIATION>                                     823
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    3222
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              869
<BONDS>                                             38
<COMMON>                                           102
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                        1499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      3222
<SALES>                                            893
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   893
<CGS>                                              810
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      810
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   1
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     98
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 65
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        65
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02