<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE>                                          5
<LEGEND>

THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>

<CIK>                                                                0000797463
<NAME>                                  GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL SERVICES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000,000
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                                                    3,341
<SECURITIES>                                                             66,694
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            99,711
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              2,624
<INVENTORY>                                                                   0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                              0
<PP&E>                                                                   27,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                                            7,150
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          237,773
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                         0
<BONDS>                                                                  45,872
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                  10
<COMMON>                                                                      1
<OTHER-SE>                                                               16,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            237,773
<SALES>                                                                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         29,043
<CGS>                                                                         0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         10,926
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          1,020
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        5,564
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           3,448
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                958
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                       2,490
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                              2,490
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              0.00
        


</TABLE>