<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the General
Dynamics Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997, and the
related Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             336
<SECURITIES>                                       105
<RECEIVABLES>                                      234
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        702
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1689
<PP&E>                                            1692
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4091
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1253
<BONDS>                                             38
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           220<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                        1695<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4091
<SALES>                                           4062
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  4062
<CGS>                                             3616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     3616
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    479
<INCOME-TAX>                                       163
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                316
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       316
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.51<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.50<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Data has been restated to give retroactive recognition to the company's
two-for-one stock split authorized on March 4, 1998 by the board of directors.
</FN>