<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 June 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          23,568
<SECURITIES>                                     5,028
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,910
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    458,670
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           9,514
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 639,960
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        306,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           227
<OTHER-SE>                                     208,414
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   639,960
<SALES>                                        421,605
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               437,022
<CGS>                                        (408,528)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (423,077)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (2,878)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,945
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,089)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,856
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (421)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,435
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40