<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GENERAL
DYNAMICS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2000, AND THE
RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                             367
<SECURITIES>                                        16
<RECEIVABLES>                                      849
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,156
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,791
<PP&E>                                           2,610
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,335)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,231
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,383
<BONDS>                                            171
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           551
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,026
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,231
<SALES>                                          7,665
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,665
<CGS>                                            6,687
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,687
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  58
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    921
<INCOME-TAX>                                       239
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                682
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       682
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.39