<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,672
<SECURITIES>                                    48,278
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      5,061
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                          50,069
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,857
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,182
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                         48,799
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           594
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,405
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,182
<SALES>                                         24,299
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,640<F3>
<CGS>                                           17,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,324<F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,720
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,851
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,638
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,213
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,213
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.09
<FN>
<F1>Not disclosed in interim periods.
<F2>Not applicable to consolidated GE.
<F3>GE sales of goods ($24,299) and services ($8,341).
<F4>GE cost of goods ($17,432) and services ($5,892) sold.
</FN>