<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S DECEMBER 31, 1998, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         111,839
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,901,836
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,541,106
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         536,637
<DEPRECIATION>                                 235,387
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,393,284
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        284,151
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,867
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,121,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,393,284
<SALES>                                      3,609,774
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,609,774
<CGS>                                        3,257,442
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,257,442
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                61,446
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,164
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                261,722
<INCOME-TAX>                                    97,955
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            163,767
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   163,767
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.65