<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S DECEMBER 31, 1995, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          23,256
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  839,590
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,257,902
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          83,376
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,331,726
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        320,981
<COMMON>                                         7,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     700,842
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,331,726
<SALES>                                      2,277,945
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,299,303
<CGS>                                        2,196,197
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,196,197
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,910
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,202
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,994
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,580
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,580
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00