================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


 [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

                                       OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                          COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9977


                              MERITAGE CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                MARYLAND                                          86-0611231
      (State of Other Jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer
    of Incorporation or Organization)                        Identification No.)


  6613 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD, SUITE 200
           SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA                                      85250
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (Zip Code)


                                 (480) 998-8700
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED
TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING
THE  PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH  SHORTER  PERIOD THAT THE  REGISTRANT  WAS
REQUIRED  TO FILE  SUCH  REPORTS),  AND  (2) HAS  BEEN  SUBJECT  TO SUCH  FILING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS: YES [X] NO [ ]

AS OF NOVEMBER 10, 2001,  5,412,006 SHARES OF MERITAGE  CORPORATION COMMON STOCK
WERE OUTSTANDING.

================================================================================

                              MERITAGE CORPORATION
               FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        PAGE NO.
                                                                        --------

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

            Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2001
            (unaudited) and December 31, 2000 .........................      3

            Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three and
            Nine Months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000
            (unaudited) ...............................................      4

            Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine
            Months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 (unaudited) ......      5

            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ................      6

    ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
            CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS .......................     12

    ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
            MARKET RISK ...............................................     16

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

    ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K ..........................     17

SIGNATURES ............................................................    S-1

                                       2

                          PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)



                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       2001          2000
                                                                    ---------      ---------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                             
ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                                         $   1,456      $   4,397
  Real estate under development                                       346,277        211,307
  Deposits on real estate under option or contract                     40,635         24,251
  Receivables                                                           4,377          2,179
  Deferred tax asset                                                    1,961            543
  Goodwill                                                             29,355         17,675
  Property and equipment, net                                           8,949          4,717
  Other assets                                                          7,178          2,006
                                                                    ---------      ---------

                Total Assets                                        $ 440,188      $ 267,075
                                                                    =========      =========

LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                          $  78,119      $  48,907
  Home sale deposits                                                   15,929         10,917
  Notes payable                                                       186,082         86,152
                                                                    ---------      ---------
                Total Liabilities                                     280,130        145,976
                                                                    ---------      ---------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock, par value $0.01. Authorized 50,000,000
    shares; issued and outstanding 6,208,969 shares at
    September 30, 2001 and 5,922,822 shares at
    December 31, 2000                                                      62             59
  Additional paid-in capital                                          106,919        102,526
  Retained earnings                                                    64,300         29,530
  Treasury stock at cost; 818,963 shares at September 30, 2001
    and 811,963 at December 31, 2000                                  (11,223)       (11,016)
                                                                    ---------      ---------
                Total Stockholders' Equity                            160,058        121,099
                                                                    ---------      ---------

  Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                        $ 440,188      $ 267,075
                                                                    =========      =========


          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                   (UNAUDITED)



                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                ------------------------      ------------------------
                                                   2001           2000           2001          2000
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                 
Home sales revenue                              $ 207,177      $ 134,464      $ 497,693      $ 346,919
Land sales revenue                                     --          1,412          1,598          4,115
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                  207,177        135,876        499,291        351,034
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------

Cost of home sales                               (161,468)      (105,629)      (390,876)      (277,111)
Cost of land sales                                     --         (1,264)        (1,474)        (3,648)
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                 (161,468)      (106,893)      (392,350)      (280,759)
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------

Home sales gross profit                            45,709         28,835        106,817         69,808
Land sales gross profit                                --            148            124            467
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                   45,709         28,983        106,941         70,275

Commissions and other sales costs                 (10,954)        (7,291)       (27,402)       (19,528)
General and administrative costs                  (11,433)        (5,364)       (24,251)       (14,213)
Interest expense                                       --             (1)            (1)            (6)
Other income, net                                     669            319          2,030          1,274
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Earnings before income taxes and
    extraordinary items                            23,991         16,646         57,317         37,802
Income taxes                                       (9,316)        (6,137)       (22,314)       (13,949)
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Earnings before extraordinary items                14,675         10,509         35,003         23,853
Extraordinary items, net of tax effects               212             --           (233)            --
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------

Net earnings                                    $  14,887      $  10,509      $  34,770      $  23,853
                                                =========      =========      =========      =========

Earnings per share:

Basic:
  Earnings before extraordinary items           $    2.73      $    2.06      $    6.64      $    4.57
  Extraordinary items, net of tax effects            0.04             --          (0.04)            --
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net earnings per share                  $    2.77      $    2.06      $    6.60      $    4.57
                                                =========      =========      =========      =========
Diluted:
  Earnings before extraordinary items           $    2.46      $    1.85      $    6.02      $    4.15
  Extraordinary items, net of tax effects            0.04             --          (0.04)            --
                                                ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
      Net earnings per share                    $    2.50      $    1.85      $    5.98      $    4.15
                                                =========      =========      =========      =========


          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       4

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)



                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                              2001           2000
                                                                            ---------      ---------
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net earnings                                                              $  34,770      $  23,853
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
    cash used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                               3,747          2,320
    (Increase) decrease in deferred tax asset before extraordinary item        (1,418)            28
    Stock option compensation expense                                              --             73
    Tax benefit from stock option exercise                                      2,376             --
  Change in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition in 2001:
    Increase in real estate under development                                 (80,425)       (51,452)
    Increase in deposits on real estate under option or contract               (7,485)        (3,394)
    Increase in receivables and other assets                                   (8,316)          (350)
    Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities                       22,322          7,455
    Increase in home sale deposits                                              2,509          4,300
                                                                            ---------      ---------
    Net cash used in operating activities                                     (31,920)       (17,167)
                                                                            ---------      ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Cash paid for acquisition                                                   (65,759)        (5,158)
  Purchases of property and equipment                                          (5,115)        (2,206)
                                                                            ---------      ---------
    Net cash used in investing activities                                     (70,874)        (7,364)
                                                                            ---------      ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Borrowings                                                                  551,809        318,723
  Repayments of debt                                                         (453,769)      (298,093)
  Repurchase of stock                                                            (207)        (8,507)
  Proceeds from exercises of stock options                                      2,020            564
                                                                            ---------      ---------
    Net cash provided by financing activities                                  99,853         12,687
                                                                            ---------      ---------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                      (2,941)       (11,844)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                4,397         13,422
                                                                            ---------      ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                  $   1,456      $   1,578
                                                                            =========      =========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
The acquisition of Hancock Communities resulted in the
 following changes in assets and liabilities:
  Real estate under development                                             $ (54,545)
  Deposits on real estate under option or contract                             (8,899)
  Receivables and other assets                                                   (543)
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                      6,890
  Home sale deposits                                                            2,503
  Goodwill                                                                    (11,423)
  Property and equipment                                                       (1,632)
  Borrowings                                                                    1,890
                                                                            ---------
  Net cash paid for acquisition                                             $ (65,759)
                                                                            =========


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       5

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     We develop, construct and sell new high-quality, single-family homes in the
semi-custom  luxury,   move-up  and  entry-level  markets.  We  operate  in  the
Dallas/Fort  Worth,  Austin and Houston,  Texas markets as Legacy Homes,  in the
Phoenix/Scottsdale  and  Tucson,  Arizona  markets as  Monterey  Homes,  Hancock
Communities  and  Meritage  Homes,  and  in  the  East  San  Francisco  Bay  and
Sacramento, California markets as Meritage Homes.

     BASIS OF PRESENTATION.  The consolidated  financial  statements include the
accounts of Meritage Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and
transactions  have been  eliminated  in  consolidation  and certain prior period
amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with current financial statement
presentation.   In  the  opinion  of  management,   the  accompanying  unaudited
consolidated  financial  statements reflect all adjustments,  consisting only of
normal  recurring  adjustments,   necessary  to  fairly  present  our  financial
position,  results of operations and cash flows for the periods  presented.  The
results of operations for any interim period are not  necessarily  indicative of
results to be expected for a full fiscal year.

NOTE 2 - REAL ESTATE UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITALIZED INTEREST

The components of real estate under development are (in thousands):

                                         SEPTEMBER 30, 2001    DECEMBER 31, 2000
                                         ------------------    -----------------
Homes under contract, in production           $159,589              $ 92,881
Finished home sites                             84,014                60,630
Home sites under development                    55,999                27,636
Model homes and homes held for resale           43,626                26,937
Land held for development                        3,049                 3,223
                                              --------              --------
                                              $346,277              $211,307
                                              ========              ========

     We capitalize  certain  interest  costs  incurred  during  development  and
construction. Capitalized interest is allocated to real estate under development
and charged to cost of sales when the  property  is  delivered  to the buyer.  A
summary of interest capitalized and interest expensed follows (in thousands):



                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               ----------------------      ----------------------
                                                 2001          2000          2001          2000
                                               --------      --------      --------      --------
                                                                             
Beginning unamortized capitalized interest     $  7,248      $  4,911      $  5,426      $  3,971
Interest capitalized                              5,430         2,975        11,868         7,617
Amortized to cost of home and land sales         (3,576)       (2,203)       (8,192)       (5,905)
                                               --------      --------      --------      --------
Ending unamortized capitalized interest        $  9,102      $  5,683      $  9,102      $  5,683
                                               ========      ========      ========      ========

Interest incurred                              $  5,430      $  2,976      $ 11,869      $  7,623
Interest capitalized                             (5,430)       (2,975)      (11,868)       (7,617)
                                               --------      --------      --------      --------
Interest expensed                              $     --      $      1      $      1      $      6
                                               ========      ========      ========      ========


                                       6

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable consists of:



                                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                2001            2000
                                                                              --------        --------
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                        
$100 million bank revolving construction line of credit, interest
  payable monthly approximating prime (6.0% at September 30, 2001) or
  LIBOR (rates varying from 2.57% to 2.66% at September 30, 2001) plus
  2.0%, payable at the earlier of close of escrow, maturity date of
  individual homes and lots within the collateral pool or over a
  24-month period beginning June 1, 2003, secured by first deeds of
  trust on real estate                                                        $  9,880        $ 50,354

$75 million bank revolving construction line of credit, interest
  payable monthly approximating prime or LIBOR plus 2.0%, payable at the
  earlier of close of escrow, maturity date of individual homes and lots
  within the line or May 31, 2002, secured by first deeds of trust on
  real estate                                                                   14,998          17,269

Acquisition and development seller carry back financing, interest
  payable monthly at fixed rates of 9% and 10% per annum; payable at the
  maturity date of the individual projects, secured by first deeds of
  trust on land                                                                  6,204           3,516

Senior unsecured notes, maturing June 1, 2011, annual interest of 9.75%
  payable semi-annually                                                        155,000              --

Senior unsecured notes, paid in full May 30, 2001                                   --          15,000

Other                                                                               --              13
                                                                              --------        --------

     Total                                                                    $186,082        $ 86,152
                                                                              ========        ========


                                       7

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 4 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (in thousands,
except per share amounts):



                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                           ---------------------     ----------------------
                                                             2001         2000         2001          2000
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
                                                                                       
BASIC:
Earnings before extraordinary items                        $ 14,675     $ 10,509     $ 35,003      $ 23,853
Extraordinary items, net of tax effects                         212           --         (233)           --
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Net earnings                                               $ 14,887     $ 10,509     $ 34,770      $ 23,853
                                                           ========     ========     ========      ========

Weighted average number of shares outstanding                 5,367        5,097        5,264         5,224
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Basic earnings per share before extraordinary items        $   2.73     $   2.06     $   6.64      $   4.57
Extraordinary items                                             .04           --         (.04)           --
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Basic earnings per share                                   $   2.77     $   2.06     $   6.60      $   4.57
                                                           ========     ========     ========      ========

DILUTED:
Earnings before extraordinary items                        $ 14,675     $ 10,509     $ 35,003      $ 23,853
Extraordinary items, net of tax effects                         212           --         (233)           --
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Net earnings                                               $ 14,887     $ 10,509     $ 34,770      $ 23,853
                                                           ========     ========     ========      ========

Weighted average number of shares outstanding                 5,367        5,097        5,264         5,224
Effect of dilutive securities:
   Contingent shares and warrants                                --           --           --            25
   Options to acquire common stock                              596          582          546           496
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Diluted weighted common shares outstanding                    5,963        5,679        5,810         5,745
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------

Diluted earnings per share before extraordinary items      $   2.46     $   1.85     $   6.02      $   4.15
Extraordinary items                                            0.04           --        (0.04)           --
                                                           --------     --------     --------      --------
Diluted earnings per share                                 $   2.50     $   1.85     $   5.98      $   4.15
                                                           ========     ========     ========      ========

Antidilutive stock options not included in diluted EPS           --          102           --           265
                                                           ========     ========     ========      ========


NOTE 5 - EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS

     During the quarter ended September 30, 2001 we recognized an  extraordinary
gain of  $212,000,  net of  related  income tax  effect of  $136,000.  This gain
resulted  from the  purchase and  retirement  of $10 million in principal of our
9.75% senior notes due June 1, 2011, which we bought back at 93.25.

     The nine months ended September 30, 2001, includes as an extraordinary item
a $446,000 loss,  net of a $285,000 tax benefit, due to the early extinguishment
of $15 million of senior unsecured debt in May 2001.

                                       8

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

     Total income tax expense for the three and nine months ended  September 30,
2001 was allocated as follows (in thousands):

                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                        SEPTEMBER 30, 2001    SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
                                        ------------------    ------------------
Income from continuing operations             $ 9,316              $ 22,314
Extraordinary items                               136                  (149)
                                              -------              --------
                                              $ 9,452              $ 22,165
                                              =======              ========

Income tax expense attributable to income from continuing operations consists of
(in thousands):

                        THREE MONTHS ENDED           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           SEPTEMBER 30,               SEPTEMBER 30,
                      ----------------------      ----------------------
                        2001          2000          2001          2000
                      --------      --------      --------      --------
     Current:
          Federal     $  8,743      $  5,263      $ 20,162      $ 12,202
          State          1,933           710         3,571         1,719
                      --------      --------      --------      --------
                        10,676         5,973        23,733        13,921
                      --------      --------      --------      --------
     Deferred:
          Federal       (1,178)          147        (1,212)           25
          State           (182)           17          (207)            3
                      --------      --------      --------      --------
                        (1,360)          164        (1,419)           28
                      --------      --------      --------      --------

          Total       $  9,316      $  6,137      $ 22,314      $ 13,949
                      ========      ========      ========      ========

NOTE 7 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

     We classify our operations into three primary geographic  segments:  Texas,
Arizona and  California.  These segments  generate  revenue  through the sale of
homes to external customers. We are not dependent on any one major customer.

     Operational   information  relating  to  the  different  business  segments
follows.  Certain  information  has not  been  included  by  segment  due to the
immateriality  of the amount to the  segment or in total.  We  evaluate  segment
performance based on several factors,  of which the primary financial measure is
earnings  before  interest  and taxes  (EBIT).  The  accounting  policies of the
business segments are the same as those described in Notes 1 and 2. There are no
significant transactions between segments.

                                       9

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 7 - SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONT.)



                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                SEPTEMBER 30,                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          ------------------------      ------------------------
                                             2001           2000           2001          2000
                                          ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                           
HOME SALES REVENUE:
   Texas                                  $  62,306      $  58,932      $ 185,264      $ 160,643
   Arizona                                  100,794         45,168        201,154         99,367
   California                                44,077         30,364        111,275         86,909
                                          ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
          Total                           $ 207,177      $ 134,464      $ 497,693      $ 346,919
                                          =========      =========      =========      =========

EBIT:
   Texas                                  $  10,892      $  10,449      $  31,954      $  26,228
   Arizona                                   10,063          4,862         19,487          8,619
   California                                 8,098          5,033         17,392         12,975
   Corporate and other                       (1,486)        (1,493)        (3,323)        (4,109)
                                          ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
          Total                           $  27,567      $  18,851      $  65,510      $  43,713
                                          =========      =========      =========      =========

AMORTIZATION OF CAPITALIZED INTEREST:
   Texas                                  $     625      $     585      $   1,772      $   1,876
   Arizona                                    2,001          1,213          4,417          2,724
   California                                   950            405          2,003          1,305
                                          ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
          Total                           $   3,576      $   2,203      $   8,192      $   5,905
                                          =========      =========      =========      =========

                                                                            AT             AT
                                                                       SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           2001           2000
                                                                         --------       --------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS:
   Texas                                                                 $140,077       $108,238
   Arizona                                                                217,497        102,746
   California                                                              80,722         53,723
   Corporate                                                                1,892          2,368
                                                                         --------       --------
          Total                                                          $440,188       $267,075
                                                                         ========       ========


NOTE 8 - HANCOCK ACQUISITION

     On May 30, 2001,  we acquired  substantially  all of the  homebuilding  and
related   assets  of  HC  Builders,   Inc.  and  Hancock   Communities,   L.L.C.
(collectively "Hancock"). The purchase price was $65.8 million in cash, plus the
assumption  of  trade  payables,   accrued   liabilities  and  customer  deposit
liabilities totaling $9.4 million and a note totaling $1.9 million. In addition,
we granted to Greg  Hancock,  the founder of Hancock  Communities,  an earn-out,
payable over three years,  equal to 20% of Hancock's  pre-tax net income after a
10.5%  charge on capital.  Hancock  designs,  builds and markets a wide range of
high-quality  homes in the  Phoenix,  Arizona  area with a focus on serving  the
entry-level  and  move-up   single-family   housing  markets  and  is  currently
developing  affordable  age-restricted  adult communities.  During 2000, Hancock
closed 1,143 homes at an average  selling price of $160,700,  resulting in total
revenues of $183.7 million and EBITDA of $16.9 million.

                                       10

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

     This acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
Accordingly, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $11.4 million, which
represents  the  excess of the  purchase  price  over the fair  value of the net
tangible and identifiable  intangible  assets acquired and liabilities  assumed.
Such amount is being amortized over a period of 20 years.

     The  following  unaudited pro forma  financial  data for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 has been prepared as if the acquisition
of the assets and liabilities of Hancock on May 30, 2001 had occurred on January
1, 2000.  Unaudited  pro forma  financial  data is presented  for  informational
purposes only and is based on historical  information.  This information may not
be  indicative of the actual  amounts of the Company had the events  occurred on
the date  listed  above,  nor does it purport to  represent  future  periods (in
thousands except per share data):



                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                               SEPTEMBER 30,             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           ---------------------     ---------------------
                                             2001         2000         2001         2000
                                           --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                      
Revenue                                    $207,177     $194,294     $552,001     $486,925
Earnings before extraordinary items          14,675       12,671       40,728       28,311
Net earnings                                 14,887       12,671       40,940       27,865
Diluted EPS before extraordinary items         2.46         2.23         7.01         4.93
Diluted EPS after extraordinary items          2.50         2.23         7.05         4.85


NOTE 9 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     On October 3, 2001, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
FASB Statement No. 144,  ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OR DISPOSAL OF LONG-LIVED
ASSETS, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or
disposal of long-lived assets. While Statement No. 144 supersedes FASB Statement
No. 121,  ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED  ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED
ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF, it retains many of the fundamental  provisions of that
Statement.

     Statement No. 144 also  supersedes the accounting and reporting  provisions
of APB  Opinion  No. 30,  REPORTING  THE  RESULTS OF  OPERATIONS--REPORTING  THE
EFFECTS OF DISPOSAL OF A SEGMENT OF A BUSINESS,  AND EXTRAORDINARY,  UNUSUAL AND
INFREQUENTLY OCCURRING EVENTS AND TRANSACTIONS, for the disposal of a segment of
a  business.  However,  it retains the  requirement  in Opinion No. 30 to report
separately  discontinued operations and extends that reporting to a COMPONENT OF
AN ENTITY  that  either  has been  disposed  of (by sale,  abandonment,  or in a
distribution  to owners) or is classified  as held for sale.  By broadening  the
presentation of discontinued  operations to include more disposal  transactions,
the FASB has enhanced  managements'  ability to provide  information  that helps
financial statement users to assess the effects of a disposal transaction on the
ongoing operations of an entity. Statement No. 144 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2001. At the current time, management believes that
the  adoption  of this  statement  on  January  1, 2002 will not have a material
impact on our financial position.

                                       11

                      MERITAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

     In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, and
Statement No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS.  Statement 141 requires
that the purchase  method of  accounting  be used for all business  combinations
initiated  after  June  30,  2001  as  well  as  all  purchase  method  business
combinations  completed  after  June 30,  2001.  Statement  141  also  specifies
criteria  that  intangible   assets  acquired  in  a  purchase  method  business
combination  must  meet to be  recognized  and  reported  apart  from  goodwill.
Statement 142 will require that goodwill and intangible  assets with  indefinite
useful lives no longer be amortized,  but instead tested for impairment at least
annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement 142.  Statement 142 will
also require that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over
their respective  estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and
reviewed for impairment in accordance with Statement No. 121, ACCOUNTING FOR THE
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF.

     The  Company  is  required  to  adopt  the   provisions  of  Statement  141
immediately, except with regard to business combinations initiated prior to July
1, 2001, and Statement 142 effective January 1, 2002. Furthermore,  any goodwill
and any intangible  assets determined to have an indefinite useful life that are
acquired in a purchase business  combination  completed after June 30, 2001 will
not  be  amortized,  but  will  continue  to be  evaluated  for  impairment,  in
accordance  with  the  appropriate   pre-Statement  142  accounting  literature.
Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  acquired in business  combinations  completed
before  July 1,  2001 will  continue  to be  amortized  until  the  adoption  of
Statement 142.

     Statement  141 will  require,  upon  adoption of  Statement  142,  that the
Company evaluate its existing  intangible assets and goodwill that were acquired
in  a  prior  purchase   business   combination,   and  to  make  any  necessary
reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria in Statement 141 for
recognition  apart from  goodwill.  Upon adoption of Statement  142, the Company
will be  required  to  reassess  the  useful  lives and  residual  values of all
intangible  assets  acquired in  purchase  business  combinations,  and make any
necessary amortization period adjustments by the end of the first interim period
after adoption.  In addition, to the extent an intangible asset is identified as
having an  indefinite  useful  life,  the  Company  will be required to test the
intangible  asset for impairment in accordance  with the provisions of Statement
142 within the first interim period.  Any impairment loss will be measured as of
the date of adoption  and  recognized  as the  cumulative  effect of a change in
accounting principle in the first interim period.

     As of  September  30,  2001,  the Company had  unamortized  goodwill in the
amount of approximately  $29.4 million,  which will be subject to the transition
provisions  of  Statement  142.  Amortization  expense  related to goodwill  was
$1,004,000 and  $1,067,000 for the nine months ended  September 30, 2001 and for
the year ended December 31, 2000,  respectively.  The Company has not determined
the  impact of the  immediate  adoption  of  Statement  141 or the  adoption  of
Statement 142 on January 1, 2002.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. The
words "believe,"  "expect,"  "anticipate," and "project" and similar expressions
identify  forward-looking  statements,  which  speak  only  as of the  date  the
statement was made.  Such  forward-looking  statements are within the meaning of
that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include the expected
benefits of the Hancock  acquisition,  including  future  closings and Hancock's
contribution  to our revenue and  earnings,  projections  of revenue,  income or
loss, capital  expenditures,  backlog,  plans for future  operations,  financing
needs or plans and  liquidity,  and plans  relating to our  housing  products or
services, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. Our past performance
or past  or  present  economic  conditions  in our  housing  markets  may not be
indicative of future performance and conditions.

                                       12

     Actual   results   may   differ   materially   from  those   expressed   in
forward-looking  statements.  Risks  identified in Exhibit 99 to this  Quarterly
Report on Form  10-Q and in our  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended
December 31, 2000,  including  under the  captions  "Business",  "Market for the
Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder  Matters", in the Notes to the
Consolidated  Financial Statements and in "Management's  Discussion and Analysis
of Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations,  Factors That May Affect Our
Future Results and Financial  Condition," and "Special Note of Caution Regarding
Forward-Looking   Statements"   describe  factors,   among  others,  that  could
contribute  to or cause such  differences.  These  factors  may also  affect our
business generally. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially  from those  expressed in such  forward-looking  statements  and that
could affect our business  generally,  are  described in our Form S-4 filed with
the SEC on July 18, 2001. As a result of these factors,  the Company's stock and
bond prices may fluctuate dramatically.

     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following  discussion and analysis provides  information  regarding our
results of operations  for the three and nine month periods ended  September 30,
2001 and  2000.  All  material  balances  and  transactions  between  us and our
subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. In management's opinion, the
data reflects all adjustments,  consisting of only normal recurring adjustments,
necessary to fairly present our financial position and results of operations for
the  periods  presented  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally
accepted in the United  States of America.  The  results of  operations  for any
interim  period are not  necessarily  indicative of results  expected for a full
fiscal year.

     HOME SALES REVENUE, SALES CONTRACTS AND NET SALES BACKLOG

     The data provided  below shows  operating and financial  data regarding our
homebuilding activities (dollars in thousands).



                           THREE MONTHS ENDED                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              SEPTEMBER 30,         PERCENTAGE          SEPTEMBER 30,         PERCENTAGE
                        ------------------------     INCREASE      -----------------------     INCREASE
HOME SALES REVENUE         2001           2000      (DECREASE)       2001         2000        (DECREASE)
                        ---------      ---------    ----------     ---------    ---------     ----------
                                                                                
TOTAL
Dollars                 $ 207,177      $ 134,464       54%         $ 497,693    $ 346,919         43%
Homes closed                  938            588       60%             2,227        1,553         43%
Average sales price     $   220.9      $   228.7       (3)%        $   223.5    $   223.4          *

TEXAS
Dollars                 $  62,306      $  58,932        6%         $ 185,263    $ 160,643         15%
Homes closed                  357            334        7%             1,077          939         15%
Average sales price     $   174.5      $   176.4       (1)%        $   172.0    $   171.1          *

ARIZONA
Dollars                 $ 100,794      $  45,168      123%         $ 201,155    $  99,367         102%
Homes closed                  469            165      184%               863          361         139%
Average sales price     $   214.9      $   273.7      (22)%        $   233.1    $   275.3        (15)%

CALIFORNIA
Dollars                 $  44,077      $  30,364       45%         $ 111,275    $  86,909         28%
Homes closed                  112             89       26%               287          253         13%
Average sales price     $   393.5      $   341.2       15%         $   387.7    $   343.5         13%


- ----------
* Less than one percent

                                       13



                           THREE MONTHS ENDED                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              SEPTEMBER 30,         PERCENTAGE          SEPTEMBER 30,         PERCENTAGE
                        ------------------------     INCREASE      -----------------------     INCREASE
SALES CONTRACTS            2001           2000      (DECREASE)       2001         2000        (DECREASE)
                        ---------      ---------    ----------     ---------    ---------     ----------
                                                                              
TOTAL
Dollars                 $ 161,486      $173,930        (7)%        $ 513,237     $ 470,601         9%
Homes ordered                 723           731        (1)%            2,220         1,950        14%
Average sales price     $   223.4      $  237.9        (6)%        $   231.2     $   241.3        (4)%

TEXAS
Dollars                 $  50,409      $ 71,684       (30)%        $ 193,241     $ 190,166         2%
Homes ordered                 297           422       (30)%            1,156         1,094         6%
Average sales price     $   169.7      $  169.9         *          $   167.2     $   173.8        (4)%

ARIZONA
Dollars                 $  84,197      $ 59,912        41%         $ 220,025     $ 148,771        48%
Homes ordered                 359           194        85%               814           474        72%
Average sales price     $   234.5      $  308.8       (24)%        $   270.3     $   313.9       (14)%

CALIFORNIA
Dollars                 $  26,880      $ 42,334       (37)%        $  99,971     $ 131,664       (24)%
Homes ordered                  67           115       (42)%              250           382       (35)%
Average sales price     $   401.2      $  368.1         9%         $   399.9     $   344.7        16%


- ----------
*    Less than one percent

                                         AT SEPTEMBER 30,             PERCENTAGE
                                    -------------------------          INCREASE
NET SALES BACKLOG                     2001             2000           (DECREASE)
                                      ----             ----           ----------
TOTAL
   Dollars                          $432,968         $344,566             26%
   Homes in backlog                    1,849            1,390             33%
   Average sales price              $  234.2         $  247.9             (6)%

TEXAS
   Dollars                          $127,542         $123,505              3%
   Homes in backlog                      774              721              7%
   Average sales price              $  164.8         $  171.3             (4)%

ARIZONA
   Dollars                          $241,604         $143,722             68%
   Homes in backlog                      905              437            107%
   Average sales price              $  267.0         $  328.9            (19)%

CALIFORNIA
   Dollars                          $ 63,822         $ 77,339            (18)%
   Homes in backlog                      170              232            (27)%
   Average sales price              $  375.4         $  333.4             13%

     HOME SALES REVENUE. The increases in total home sales revenue and number of
homes closed in the third  quarter and first nine months of 2001 compared to the
same periods of 2000 resulted  mainly from strong markets at the time the orders
for these closings were taken in all of our divisions,  continued  growth in our
mid-priced communities in Arizona and the addition of Hancock Communities to our
operations in Phoenix,  Arizona,  which was acquired on May 30, 2001. During the
three and nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  313 and 383 Hancock homes were
closed, respectively.

                                       14

     SALES  CONTRACTS.  Sales  contracts for any period  represent the aggregate
sales price of all homes ordered by customers,  net of cancellations.  We do not
include sales contingent upon the sale of a customer's  existing home as a sales
contract until the  contingency is removed.  Sales contracts for the nine months
ended  September  30, 2001 are up from the previous  year,  due to 304 contracts
from the Hancock  acquisition  and the  strength  of our markets  earlier in the
year.  Total sales contracts  decreased in the third quarter of 2001 compared to
the same period of 2000 due mainly,  we believe,  to a  combination  of factors,
including a difficult  comparison to the prior year's very strong sales results,
slowing in our high-end  Monterey  Scottsdale  product and in our move-up Austin
product,  compounded  by the events of September  11. These  factors were mostly
offset by the inclusion of 234 Hancock  sales  contracts in the third quarter of
2001. Historically, we have experienced a cancellation rate approximating 23% of
gross  sales,  which we believe  is  consistent  with  industry  norms.  For the
quarter,  cancellation  rates  increased  to 31% which we believe  was caused by
September 11.

     NET SALES BACKLOG.  Backlog  represents  net sales  contracts that have not
closed.  Total  dollar  backlog at  September  30, 2001  increased  26% over the
September  30, 2000 amount due to an increase in the number of homes in backlog.
The number of homes in backlog at September 30, 2001 increased 33% over the same
date in the  prior  year.  These  increases  resulted  mainly  from our  Hancock
acquisition.

     OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION



                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED                    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,                        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      -----------------------------------    ----------------------------------
                                                               PERCENTAGE                           PERCENTAGE
                                                                INCREASE                              INCREASE
                                        2001         2000      (DECREASE)      2001        2000      (DECREASE)
                                        ----         ----      ----------      ----        ----      ----------
                                                                                      
HOME SALES GROSS PROFIT
Dollars                               $45,709      $28,835        58.5%      $106,817     $69,808       53.0%
Percentage of home sales revenues        22.1%        21.4%          *           21.5%       20.1%       1.4%

COMMISSIONS AND OTHER SALES COSTS
Dollars                               $10,954      $ 7,291        50.2%      $ 27,402     $19,528       40.3%
Percent of home sales revenue             5.3%         5.4%          *            5.5%        5.6%         *

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
Dollars                               $11,433      $ 5,364       113.1%      $ 24,251     $14,213       70.6%
Percent of total revenue                  5.5%         3.9%        1.6            4.9%        4.0%         *

INCOME TAXES
Dollars                               $ 9,316      $ 6,137        51.8%      $ 22,314     $13,949       60.0%
Percent of income before taxes
  and extraordinary items                38.8%        36.9%        1.9%          38.9%       36.9%       2.0%


* Less than one percent

     HOME SALES GROSS  PROFIT.  Gross profit equals home sales  revenue,  net of
housing cost of sales,  which  include  developed lot costs,  home  construction
costs, amortization of common community costs (such as the cost of model complex
and  architectural,  legal and zoning  costs),  interest,  sales tax,  warranty,
construction  overhead and closing costs.  The dollar  increases in gross profit
for the three and nine months ended  September 30, 2001 are  attributable to the
greater  number of home  closings  and due to the strong  housing  markets  that
existed at the time these homes were sold.  We were also able to benefit  from a
reasonably favorable environment for controlling construction costs.

     COMMISSIONS AND OTHER SALES COSTS.  Commissions and other sales costs, such
as advertising and sales office expenses,  were approximately  $11.0 million, or
5.3% of home sales  revenue,  in the three months ended  September  30, 2001, as
compared to approximately  $7.3 million,  or 5.4% of home sales revenue,  in the
third quarter of 2000. For the first nine months of 2001,  commissions and other
sales  costs were  approximately  $27.4  million or 5.5% of home sales  revenue,
compared with $19.5 million, or 5.6% of home sales revenue,  for the nine months
of 2000.

                                       15

     GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE  COSTS.  General and  administrative  costs were
approximately  $11.4 million,  or 5.5% of total revenue, in the third quarter of
2001, as compared to approximately  $5.4 million,  or 3.9% of total revenue,  in
2000. General and administrative costs were approximately $24.3 million, or 4.9%
of total revenue, in the first nine months of 2001, as compared to approximately
$14.2 million,  or 4.0% of total revenue,  for the same period of 2000.  General
and  administrative  costs in 2001 were higher as a  percentage  of revenue,  in
comparison to the prior year due to a general  overall  increase in these costs,
and due to the strong  closing  performance of our Northern  California  region,
which resulted in a  larger-than-typical  earn-out  payment per the terms of the
purchase contract when we acquired the division. The earn-out,  which terminates
in June 2002, is calculated  based on 20 percent of the pre-tax  earnings of the
Northern California region after reduction for a capital charge.

     INCOME TAXES. The increases in income taxes for the quarter and nine months
ended  September  30,  2001 from the prior year  resulted  from an  increase  in
pre-tax income, along with a slightly higher effective tax rate.

     LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Our principal uses of working capital are land  purchases,  lot development
and home construction. We use a combination of borrowings and funds generated by
operations to meet our working capital requirements.

     At September 30, 2001, we had  short-term  secured  revolving  construction
loan and  acquisition  and development  facilities  totaling $185.0 million,  of
which approximately $24.9 million was outstanding.  An additional $123.7 million
of unborrowed  funds  supported by approved  collateral were available under our
credit  facilities at that date,  subject to  compliance  with the financial and
other covenants in our loan agreements.  This additional borrowing is limited to
approximately $69 million under such loan covenants.

     In September 2001, we purchased and retired $10 million in principal amount
of our 9.75% senior notes due June 1, 2011. The purchases were made at 93.25% of
par and resulted in an extraordinary gain of $212,000, net of related income tax
effect of $136,000.

     The 9.75%  senior  unsecured  notes  require us to comply  with a number of
covenants including:

     1)   Limitations on additional indebtedness,
     2)   Limitations  on  the  payment  of  dividends,   redemption  of  equity
          interests and certain investments,
     3)   Maintenance of a minimum level of consolidated tangible net worth,
     4)   Limitations on liens securing certain obligations, and
     5)   Limitations  on the sale of assets,  mergers  and  consolidations  and
          transactions with affiliates.

     We believe that our current borrowing  capacity,  cash on hand at September
30, 2001 and  anticipated  cash flows from  operations  are  sufficient  to meet
liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. There is no assurance, however, that
future  amounts  available  from our sources of liquidity  will be sufficient to
meet future capital needs.  The amount and types of  indebtedness  that we incur
may be limited by the terms of the  indenture  governing our senior notes and by
the terms of our other credit agreements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes,
although we do have other financial instruments in the form of notes payable and
senior debt. Our lines of credit and credit  facilities are at variable interest
rates and are subject to market risk in the form of interest rate  fluctuations.
The interest rate on our senior debt is at a fixed rate.

                                       16

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (A)  EXHIBITS



     EXHIBIT                                                                        PAGE OR
     NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION                             METHOD OF FILING
     ------                             -----------                             ----------------
                                                                          
      10.1     Employment Agreement between the Company and Larry W. Seay,
               dated October 1, 2001                                             Filed herewith

      99       Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor
               Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements               Filed herewith


     (B)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     None.

                                       17

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  the registrant has duly cause this report on Form 10-Q to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this 14th
day of November 2001.


                                         MERITAGE CORPORATION,
                                         a Maryland Corporation

                                         BY /s/ LARRY W. SEAY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Larry W. Seay
                                            Chief Financial Officer and
                                            Vice President-Finance
                                            (Principal Financial Officer and
                                            Duly Authorized Officer)

                                       S-1