<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY L.P.'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000818764
<NAME> CENTEX DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L. P.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             352
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,838
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<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,770
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    39,414
<SALES>                                          4,013
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,013
<CGS>                                            4,027
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,027
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (14)
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