<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GENERAL
DYNAMICS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 4, 1999, AND THE
RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                             133
<SECURITIES>                                        52
<RECEIVABLES>                                      314
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,186
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,414
<PP&E>                                           1,749
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,031
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,106
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,574
<BONDS>                                            162
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           312
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,177
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,106
<SALES>                                          1,377
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,377
<CGS>                                            1,234
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,234
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    151
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (114)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                265
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       265
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.07