-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-09-012584.txt : 20090515
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-09-012584.hdr.sgml : 20090515
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090515171254
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-09-012584
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090513
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090515
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090515

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Smith Catherine R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001322028

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06776
		FILM NUMBER:		09834434

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 TECHNOLOGY WAY
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX 231
		CITY:			LATROBE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15650

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Smith Cathy R
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20050329

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTEX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000018532
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531]
		IRS NUMBER:				750778259
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2728 N HARWOOD
		STREET 2:		-
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-981-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 199000
		STREET 2:		-
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75219

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTEX CONSTRUCTION CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19681211
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000018532</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTEX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CTX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001322028</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Smith Catherine R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2728 N HARWOOD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201-1516</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>95948</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>231343</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 71,961 shares of restricted stock and a restricted stock unit award for 23,987 shares, each granted on May 13, 2009.  The restricted stock award vests 33 1/3% on 3/31/10, 3/31/11, and 3/31/12; provided that the award is subject to a performance condition that will be evaluated after 3/31/10 that may result in a forfeiture of all or part of the award, and the first vesting is suspended until the determination of the satisfaction with the vesting condition.  Each stock unit will entitle the reporting person to one share of the issuer's common stock upon vesting, 33 1/3% on 3/31/10, 3/31/11 and 3/31/12.  However, if the announced combination with Pulte Homes, Inc. is consummated, (a) the performance condition on the restricted stock award will be deemed satisfied at target level and (b) the stock unit award will be forfeited.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James R. Peacock III as attorney-in-fact for Catherine R. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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