<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 1998 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-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 3,862 <SECURITIES> 74,094 <RECEIVABLES> 0<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0<F1> <INVENTORY> 5,564 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F2> <PP&E> 57,461 <DEPRECIATION> 24,153 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 318,882 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F2> <BONDS> 48,764 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 594 <OTHER-SE> 34,991 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 318,882 <SALES> 20,638 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 28,040<F3> <CGS> 14,982 <TOTAL-COSTS> 20,149<F4> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0<F1> <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,578 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,449 <INCOME-TAX> 2,108 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,341 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,341 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.33<F5> <EPS-DILUTED> 1.31<F6> <FN> <F1>Not disclosed in interim periods. <F2>Not applicable to consolidated GE. <F3>Sales of goods ($20,638) and services ($7,402). <F4>Cost of goods ($14,982) and services ($5,167) sold. <F5>Represents basic earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. <F6>Represents diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. </FN>