<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM CENTEX
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS, INC.'S MARCH 31, 1997, FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,812
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     31,482
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<PP&E>                                         363,409
<DEPRECIATION>                                 139,033
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 305,637
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,726
<BONDS>                                            640
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<OTHER-SE>                                     239,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   305,637
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,904
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 64,406
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,607
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,799
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