<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the General Dynamics
Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 28, 1997, and the related
consolidated Statement of Earnings for the nine months ended September 28, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                             202
<SECURITIES>                                       643
<RECEIVABLES>                                      170
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,888
<PP&E>                                           1,480
<DEPRECIATION>                                     972
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              887
<BONDS>                                             40
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           220
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,636
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,492
<SALES>                                          2,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,961
<CGS>                                            2,632
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,632
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    353
<INCOME-TAX>                                       120
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                233
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       233
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84