<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.'S DECEMBER 31, 1997, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000818764
<NAME> CENTEX DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             585
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,801
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     35,479
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  49,034
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                      32,616
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    49,034
<SALES>                                         15,748
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                15,748
<CGS>                                           11,635
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,635
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,113
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,113
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00