<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MDC HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 10,079 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 12,771 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 511,284 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 2,901 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 714,013 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 225,410 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 279 <OTHER-SE> 297,852 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 714,013 <SALES> 1,234,272 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,263,209 <CGS> (1,147,508) <TOTAL-COSTS> (1,159,629) <OTHER-EXPENSES> (19,728) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 83,852 <INCOME-TAX> (32,284) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 51,568 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (15,314) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 36,254 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.96 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.64