<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS, INC.'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          35,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,705
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     24,918
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,245
<PP&E>                                         310,186
<DEPRECIATION>                                 134,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 283,036
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,263
<BONDS>                                            720
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           220
<OTHER-SE>                                     222,915
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   283,036
<SALES>                                        125,866
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               127,020
<CGS>                                                0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,365
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,250
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,373
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,877
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
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<NET-INCOME>                                    22,877
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