<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 September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          17,543
<SECURITIES>                                     5,076
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    458,683
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           9,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 627,375
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        278,481
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           227
<OTHER-SE>                                     208,597
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   627,375
<SALES>                                        644,339
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               670,329
<CGS>                                        (626,356)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (647,556)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (3,364)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,773
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,314)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,459
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (421)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,038
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66