U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, sending major indexes up more than 2 percent, as data showing the U.S. economy returned to growth in the third quarter buoyed hopes of a sustained rebound in corporate profits.

* The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 204.58 points, or 2.10 percent, to 9,967.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 24.12 points, or 2.31 percent, to 1,066.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 41.44 points, or 2.01 percent, to 2,101.05.

* The S&P 500 was on track for its best one-day percentage gain in three months.

(Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; Editing by Jan Paschal)