<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTEX
CORPORATIONS' SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         202,280
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,743,187
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  2,141,687
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         657,413
<DEPRECIATION>                                 288,992
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,228,580
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,650,307
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,761
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,512,923
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,228,580
<SALES>                                      3,022,562
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,022,562
<CGS>                                        2,762,575
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,762,575
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                42,038
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              43,955
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                173,994
<INCOME-TAX>                                    66,695
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            107,299
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   107,299
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79