<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from MDC
Holdings, Inc. consolidated financial statements included in its Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          38,930
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,496
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    645,709
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           2,909
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 877,008
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        264,623
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           282
<OTHER-SE>                                     388,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   877,008
<SALES>                                      1,537,563
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,567,638
<CGS>                                      (1,375,305)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              (1,419,185)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                148,453
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (59,061)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             89,392
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    89,392
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.95