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                                  Exhibit 24.1


STATE OF TEXAS           )
                         )
COUNTY OF DALLAS         )



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


Know all men by these presents, that I, EDWARD R. MCMURPHY, a Director of CROWN
GROUP, INC., a Texas corporation, do constitute and appoint MARK D. SLUSSER, my
true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for me in any
and all capacities, to sign, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for CROWN GROUP, INC., for
the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998, and to file the same with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Security Dealers, Inc.,
together with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
and to sign on my behalf and in my stead, in any and all capacities, any
amendments to said Annual Report, incorporating such changes as said
attorney-in-fact deems appropriate, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day of August,
1998.


                                                  /s/ Edward R. McMurphy
                                                ---------------------------
                                                      Edward R. McMurphy




                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


Before me this 5th day of August, 1998, came EDWARD R. MCMURPHY, personally
known to me, who in my presence did sign and seal the above and foregoing Power
of Attorney and acknowledged the same as his true act and deed.


                                                  /s/ April May
                                                ---------------------------
                                                   NOTARY PUBLIC