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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          10,874
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,223
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    666,909
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           2,615
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 871,467
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        286,503
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           282
<OTHER-SE>                                     363,523
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   871,467
<SALES>                                      1,084,205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,107,010
<CGS>                                        (969,223)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              (1,002,798)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,212
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (41,364)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,848
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,848
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.77