<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BELMONT HOMES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,836
<SECURITIES>                                     2,044
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,650
<ALLOWANCES>                                        37
<INVENTORY>                                     13,534
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,539
<PP&E>                                          25,395
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,273
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,484
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,435
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           947
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,707
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,484
<SALES>                                         52,144
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                52,144
<CGS>                                           45,415
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,415
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 206
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,348
<INCOME-TAX>                                       541
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                807
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       807
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0