<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYLAND
GROUP INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 6/30/00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          93,522
<SECURITIES>                                    95,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,645
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    956,463
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          31,774
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,417,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        207,194
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        318
<COMMON>                                        12,948
<OTHER-SE>                                     381,726
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,417,049
<SALES>                                        933,944
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               953,762
<CGS>                                          781,835
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  885,638
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,879
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,687
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,818
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,869
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,869
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.02