<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