<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 1996
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000040545
<NAME> GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,170
<SECURITIES>                                    40,753
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      4,894
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                          47,063
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,815
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 230,213
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                         52,306
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           594
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   230,213
<SALES>                                          7,241
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,714<F3>
<CGS>                                            5,210
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,933<F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,875
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,318
<INCOME-TAX>                                       801
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,517
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,517
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.90
<FN>
<F1>Not disclosed in interim periods.
<F2>Not applicable to consolidated GE.
<F3>GE sales of goods ($7,241) and services ($2,473).
<F4>GE cost of goods ($5,210) and services ($1,723) sold.
</FN>