<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,202
<SECURITIES>                                     2,461
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,763
<ALLOWANCES>                                        43
<INVENTORY>                                      5,562
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          23,733
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,442
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  59,596
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                          9,296
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0<F2>
<COMMON>                                           822
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,945
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    59,596
<SALES>                                         15,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,116
<CGS>                                           11,968<F1>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 234
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,704
<INCOME-TAX>                                       675
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,029
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,029
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.45<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Excludes depreciation and special tools amortization and employee retirement
benefits.
<F2>Less than $1 million
<F3>In May 1996, Chrysler declared a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100
percent stock dividend which was distributed on July 15, 1996 to shareholders
of record on June 15, 1996.  Financial data schedules for prior years have not
been restated for this stock split.
</FN>