<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from MDC
Holdings, Inc. consolidated financial statements included in its Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          16,691
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,291
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    694,603
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           3,326
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 893,169
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        269,962
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           285
<OTHER-SE>                                     447,369
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   893,169
<SALES>                                        341,009
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               347,158
<CGS>                                          295,538
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  307,517
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,641
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,620
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,021
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,021
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94