<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          94,151
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,770,612
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,301,618
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         525,053
<DEPRECIATION>                                 231,912
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,946,437
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        209,097
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,878
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,067,711
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,946,437
<SALES>                                      2,353,688
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,353,688
<CGS>                                        2,127,842
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,127,842
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                40,523
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,235
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                167,088
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,364
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            104,724
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   104,724
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.69