<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S DECEMBER 31, 1999, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         161,713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,126,822
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  2,096,026
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         602,037
<DEPRECIATION>                                 264,012
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,401,156
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        570,179
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,785
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,347,235
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,401,156
<SALES>                                      4,230,837
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,230,837
<CGS>                                        3,807,341
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,807,341
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                75,498
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                302,170
<INCOME-TAX>                                   115,063
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            187,107
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   187,107
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.06