<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MDC HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 11,304 <SECURITIES> 5,159 <RECEIVABLES> 10,218 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 434,812 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 9,411 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 617,303 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 253,346 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 231 <OTHER-SE> 213,616 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 617,303 <SALES> 890,536 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 922,595 <CGS> (862,569) <TOTAL-COSTS> (889,841) <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (3,773) <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,754 <INCOME-TAX> (11,995) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,799 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (421) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,378 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.06 <EPS-DILUTED> .96