<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S JUNE 30, 1996, FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          36,066
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  897,202
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,107,505
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         391,206
<DEPRECIATION>                                 181,175
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,566,904
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        221,743
<COMMON>                                         7,127
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     737,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,566,904
<SALES>                                        892,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               892,411
<CGS>                                          837,830
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  837,830
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,648
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,582
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,351
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,532
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,819
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,819
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0