<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATION'S MARCH 31, 2000, FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0000018532
<NAME> CENTEX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         139,563
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  893,078
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,954,037
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         631,819
<DEPRECIATION>                                 271,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,038,740
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        751,160
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,702
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,404,647
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,038,740
<SALES>                                      5,956,366
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,956,366
<CGS>                                        5,374,874
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,374,874
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                97,787
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              66,844
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                416,861
<INCOME-TAX>                                   159,729
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            257,132
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   257,132
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.22