<TABLE> <S> <C>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<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
0
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
</TABLE>