<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the General Dynamics
Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 29, 1997, and the related
consolidated Statement of Earnings for the six months ended June 29, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                             205
<SECURITIES>                                       450
<RECEIVABLES>                                      172
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        561
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,674
<PP&E>                                           1,483
<DEPRECIATION>                                     963
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              879
<BONDS>                                             40
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           214
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,578
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,391
<SALES>                                          1,973
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,973
<CGS>                                            1,757
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,757
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    230
<INCOME-TAX>                                        79
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                151
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20