<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYLAND
GROUP INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 9/30/00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          89,399
<SECURITIES>                                    87,035
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,677
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    958,638
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          33,467
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,408,103
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        176,075
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        308
<COMMON>                                        13,116
<OTHER-SE>                                     407,608
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,408,103
<SALES>                                      1,550,403
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,582,089
<CGS>                                        1,297,936
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,461,186
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,392
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,383
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 83,128
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,420
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             50,708
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,708
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.68