<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Centex
Corporation's December 31, 1996, 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          73,981
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  957,597
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,063,126
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         391,888
<DEPRECIATION>                                 188,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,600,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        224,504
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,196
<OTHER-SE>                                     795,968
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,600,521
<SALES>                                      2,833,121
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,833,121
<CGS>                                        2,648,537
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,648,537
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,660
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,760
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                119,164
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,642
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,522
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    77,522
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00