<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GENERAL
MOTORS CORPORATION DECEMBER 31, 1996 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 1996 FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000040730
<NAME> GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          14,063
<SECURITIES>                                     8,199
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,107
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,895
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          78,802
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,298
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 222,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                         85,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                         1,271
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,146
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   222,142
<SALES>                                        145,341
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               164,069
<CGS>                                          123,922
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  135,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   159
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   669
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,695
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,676
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,723
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,953
<DISCONTINUED>                                      10
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,963
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0