<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S DECEMBER 31, 1997, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          89,499
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,172,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,152,879
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         517,632
<DEPRECIATION>                                 215,471
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,059,159
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        240,183
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,423
<OTHER-SE>                                     939,978
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,059,159
<SALES>                                      2,836,204
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,836,204
<CGS>                                        2,601,728
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,601,728
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                49,621
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,818
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                160,037
<INCOME-TAX>                                    59,256
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            100,781
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   100,781
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.30