<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 1997, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000040545
<NAME> GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,806
<SECURITIES>                                    64,146
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      5,376
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                          52,268
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,396
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 278,897
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                         46,792
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           594
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   278,897
<SALES>                                         16,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,069<F3>
<CGS>                                           12,092
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,213<F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,952
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,790
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,951
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,839
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,839
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15
<FN>
<F1>Not disclosed in interim periods.
<F2>Not applicable to consolidated GE.
<F3>GE sales of goods ($16,961) and services ($6,108).
<F4>GE cost of goods ($12,092) and services ($4,121) sold.
</FN>