<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BELMONT HOMES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           4,521
<SECURITIES>                                     8,588
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,977
<ALLOWANCES>                                        37
<INVENTORY>                                     10,940
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,214
<PP&E>                                          25,667
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,060
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  80,188
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,252
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           947
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,082
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    80,188
<SALES>                                        179,575
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               181,510
<CGS>                                          154,875
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  154,875
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 432
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,570
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,388
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,182
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,182
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0