<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          70,752
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,093,296
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,093,991
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         511,204
<DEPRECIATION>                                 209,772
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,909,101
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        239,886
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,414
<OTHER-SE>                                     903,913
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,909,101
<SALES>                                      1,853,121
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,853,121
<CGS>                                        1,701,167
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,701,167
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,315
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,525
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                101,114
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             63,401
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    63,401
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00