<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS, INC.'S DECEMBER 31, 1997, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          60,646
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,496
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     28,201
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               124,343
<PP&E>                                         369,767
<DEPRECIATION>                                 151,855
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 348,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,602
<BONDS>                                            640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           219
<OTHER-SE>                                     277,165
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   348,574
<SALES>                                        230,024
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               232,948
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,386
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,752
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 71,810
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,708
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,102
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,102
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08