<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, 1995 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995 <CASH> 20,795 <SECURITIES> 6,481 <RECEIVABLES> 26,192 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 442,165 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 9,550 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 634,811 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 305,334 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 226 <OTHER-SE> 204,807 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 634,811 <SALES> 840,362 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 865,856 <CGS> 807,344 <TOTAL-COSTS> 817,954 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,773 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,651 <INCOME-TAX> 9,401 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,250 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,250 <EPS-PRIMARY> .86 <EPS-DILUTED> .79