<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, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 21,535 <SECURITIES> 6,560 <RECEIVABLES> 19,710 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 451,309 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 9,549 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 631,503 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 294,992 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 226 <OTHER-SE> 207,477 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 631,503 <SALES> 191,276 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 199,246 <CGS> 185,242 <TOTAL-COSTS> 187,984 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,851 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,810 <INCOME-TAX> 2,486 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,324 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,324 <EPS-PRIMARY> .22 <EPS-DILUTED> .20