EXHIBIT 5.1


                   [LETTERHEAD OF GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP]



                               November 21, 2001





D.R. Horton, Inc.
1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100
Arlington, Texas 76006

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as special counsel for D.R. Horton, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of up to 26,526,835 shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") for
issuance by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2001 and amended as of
November 8, 2001 (the "Merger Agreement"), between the Company and Schuler
Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Schuler"), and pursuant to a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") (all of such shares of Common Stock
are herein collectively referred to as the "Shares").

         In connection with our examination of documents as hereinafter
described, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on, and the
authenticity of, all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. With respect
to agreements and instruments executed by natural persons, we have assumed the
legal competency of such persons.

         For the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have made such factual
and legal examinations as we deemed necessary under the circumstances, and in
that connection we have examined, among other things, originals or copies of the
following:

         (1)      The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to
                  date;

         (2)      The Bylaws of the Company, as amended to date;

         (3)      Minutes of meetings (or written consents in lieu thereof) of
                  the Company's Board of Directors and Executive Committee at
                  which action was taken with





D.R. Horton, Inc.
November 21, 2001
Page 2


                  respect to the transactions covered by this opinion and
                  minutes of other corporate proceedings;

         (4)      The Merger Agreement; and

         (5)      Such other certificates and assurances from public officials,
                  officers and representatives of the Company that we considered
                  necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this
                  opinion.

         On the basis of the foregoing examination, and in reliance thereon,
subject to the assumptions stated above, we are of the opinion that the Shares
when issued and delivered to the holders of common stock, par value $.001 per
share, of Schuler in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         This opinion is limited to the present corporate laws of the State of
Delaware, the present federal laws of the United States and to the present
judicial interpretations thereof and to the facts as they presently exist. We
undertake no obligation to advise you as a result of developments occurring
after the date hereof or as a result of facts or circumstances brought to our
attention after the date hereof. This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. Consent is also given to the reference to this firm
under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit we are included
in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act
or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.


                                             Very truly yours,


                                             /S/ GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP


IFS/SPE/RWB/AR