<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S JUNE 30, 1998, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         101,568
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,763,816
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,204,073
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         510,125
<DEPRECIATION>                                 223,979
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,854,893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        208,431
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,893
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,019,567
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,854,893
<SALES>                                      1,110,606
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,110,606
<CGS>                                        1,007,932
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,007,932
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,759
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,193
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,722
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,561
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,161
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,161
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.78