Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 177,199	$ 159,363
Restricted cash	67,998	56,799
Marketable securities, available-for-sale	290,705	347,016
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	535,902	563,178
Housing inventories
Homes under construction	368,987	319,476
Land under development and improved lots	406,546	413,569
Inventory held-for-sale	10,534	11,015
Consolidated inventory not owned	49,036	51,400
Total housing inventories	835,103	795,460
Property, plant and equipment	20,050	19,920
Other	126,986	165,262
Assets of discontinued operations	30,465	35,324
TOTAL ASSETS	1,548,506	1,579,144
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	72,176	74,327
Accrued and other liabilities	138,083	140,930
Financial services credit facility	32,330	49,933
Debt	822,797	823,827
Liabilities of discontinued operations	3,211	6,217
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,068,597	1,095,234
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized-10,000 shares Series A Junior Participating Preferred, none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized-199,990,000 shares Issued-44,579,681 shares at March 31, 2012 (44,413,594 shares at December 31, 2011)	44,580	44,414
Retained earnings	402,532	405,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income	838	164
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.	447,950	449,687
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	31,959	34,223
TOTAL EQUITY	479,909	483,910
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,548,506	$ 1,579,144