<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONDENSED CONSOLID-
ATED STATEMENT OF NET EARNINGS AT AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000104834
<NAME> WASHINGTON HOMES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                       8,943,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                127,096,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             167,395,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        79,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  65,652,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               167,395,000
<SALES>                                     38,622,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            39,404,000
<CGS>                                       30,844,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               37,116,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,199,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,089,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   475,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            614,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   614,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08