<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, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          19,619
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,814
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    614,935
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           2,604
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 816,712
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        256,484
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           281
<OTHER-SE>                                     339,840
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   816,712
<SALES>                                        681,010
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               696,884
<CGS>                                        (611,860)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (632,904)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,980
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (25,272)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,708
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,708
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71