<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 3,271 <SECURITIES> 46,687 <RECEIVABLES> 0<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0<F1> <INVENTORY> 5,051 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F2> <PP&E> 48,195 <DEPRECIATION> 21,167 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 242,081 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F2> <BONDS> 49,775 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 594 <OTHER-SE> 28,702 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 242,081 <SALES> 15,792 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 21,194<F3> <CGS> 11,244 <TOTAL-COSTS> 14,937<F4> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0<F1> <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,795 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,153 <INCOME-TAX> 1,728 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,425 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,425 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.03 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.03 <FN> <F1>Not disclosed in interim periods. <F2>Not applicable to consolidated GE. <F3>GE sales of goods ($15,792) and services ($5,402). <F4>GE cost of goods ($11,244) and services ($3,693) sold. </FN>