Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 224,217	$ 159,113
Restricted cash	66,933	57,049
Marketable securities, available-for-sale	508,510	347,016
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	799,660	563,178
Housing inventories
Homes under construction	459,427	319,476
Land under development and improved lots	443,996	413,569
Inventory held-for-sale	6,665	11,015
Consolidated inventory not owned	43,606	51,400
Total housing inventories	953,694	795,460
Property, plant and equipment	20,621	19,920
Other	175,820	165,262
Assets of discontinued operations	5,470	35,324
TOTAL ASSETS	1,955,265	1,579,144
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	107,351	74,327
Accrued and other liabilities	159,590	140,930
Financial services credit facility	58,457	49,933
Debt	1,130,673	823,827
Liabilities of discontinued operations	1,828	6,217
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,457,899	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-44,987,573 shares at September 30, 2012 (44,413,594 shares at December 31, 2011)	44,988	44,414
Retained earnings	426,551	405,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income	244	164
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.	471,783	449,687
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	25,583	34,223
TOTAL EQUITY	497,366	483,910
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,955,265	$ 1,579,144