Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 06, 2013
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	RYLAND GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000085974
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,172,100
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2