<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED OF M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 13,373 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 43,819 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 271,254 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 328,446 <PP&E> 12,975 <DEPRECIATION> 4,328 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 366,020 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 86,564 <BONDS> 5,950 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 88 <OTHER-SE> 115,418 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 366,020 <SALES> 604,999 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 614,004 <CGS> 494,663 <TOTAL-COSTS> 494,663 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,742 <INCOME-PRETAX> 29,422 <INCOME-TAX> 11,985 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,437 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,437 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.15 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.15