<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S JUNE 30, 1997, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          42,202
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,041,934
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,086,299
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         502,021
<DEPRECIATION>                                 204,477
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,836,826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        240,530
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,320
<OTHER-SE>                                     859,622
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,836,826
<SALES>                                        861,375
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               861,375
<CGS>                                          795,277
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  795,277
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,873
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,419
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,010
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,010
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00