HORTON D R INC /DE/
DEF 14A, 1996-12-20
OPERATIVE BUILDERS
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                       [LOGO OF D R HORTON APPEARS HERE]

                               December 20, 1996

Dear Stockholder:

  You  are cordially invited  to attend the 1997  Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of D.R.  Horton,  Inc. to be held on Thursday,  January 23, 1997,  at 9:30 a.m.,
Central time, at the corporate  offices of D.R.  Horton,  Inc.,  1901  Ascension
Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, Texas.

  At the meeting,  stockholders  will be asked to elect nine  directors  for the
ensuing  year and to transact  such other  business  as may  properly be brought
before  the  meeting.  A form of proxy on which  to  indicate  your  vote and an
envelope, postage prepaid, in which to return your proxy are enclosed.

  While we would  like to have  each of you  attend  the  meeting  and vote your
shares in person, we realize this may not be possible.  However,  whether or not
you plan to attend  the  meeting,  your vote is very  important.  WE URGE YOU TO
COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE
REPRESENTED.  If you decide  later to attend the  meeting,  you may revoke  your
proxy at that time and vote your shares in person.

  If you desire any additional information concerning the meeting or the matters
to be acted upon thereat, we would be glad to hear from you.

                                          Sincerely,
                                          Donald R. Horton
                                          Chairman of the Board and President

<PAGE>

                               D.R. HORTON, INC.

                             1901 ASCENSION BLVD.
                                  SUITE 100
                            ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76006

                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                               JANUARY 23, 1997

To Each Stockholder of D.R. Horton, Inc.:

  You are  invited to attend the 1997  Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  of D.R.
Horton,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  which will be held at the  Company's  corporate
offices, 1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, January
23, 1997, at 9:30 a.m., Central time, for the following purposes:

  1. To elect  nine  directors  to serve  until the next  annual  meeting of the
     stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

  2. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the
     meeting or any adjournment thereof.

  Only  stockholders of record at the close of business on December 4, 1996, are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.  A list of such stockholders
will be  available  for  examination  by any  stockholder  at the offices of the
Company set forth above for at least ten days before the meeting.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
                                          John M. Saganich
                                          Secretary

Arlington, Texas
December 20, 1996

  IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR  REPRESENTATION,  PLEASE  COMPLETE,  SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED  ENVELOPE.
IF YOU ATTEND  THE  MEETING  AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON,  YOUR PROXY WILL NOT BE
USED.

<PAGE>

                               D.R. HORTON, INC.
                             1901 ASCENSION BLVD.
                                   SUITE 100
                            ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76006

                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                      FOR
                        ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                               JANUARY 23, 1997

                                    GENERAL

  This Proxy  Statement is  furnished in  connection  with the  solicitation  of
proxies by the Board of Directors of D.R. Horton,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
(the  "Company"),  for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to
be held on  Thursday,  January 23,  1997,  at 9:30 a.m.,  Central  time,  at the
Company's corporate offices, 1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington,  Texas,
and any adjournment  thereof (the "Annual Meeting").  The purposes of the Annual
Meeting are set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to which
this Proxy Statement is attached.  The Company expects that this Proxy Statement
and the  accompanying  form of proxy will first be mailed to each stockholder of
record on or about December 20, 1996.

  The cost of this solicitation will be paid by the Company. The solicitation of
proxies  will be made  primarily by use of the mails.  In  addition,  directors,
officers  and  regular  employees  of the  Company  may  make  solicitations  by
telephone,  telegraph or personal  interview,  and may request  banks,  brokers,
fiduciaries  and other persons  holding stock in their names, or in the names of
their nominees,  to forward proxies and proxy materials to their  principals and
obtain authorization for the execution and return of such proxies to management.
The Company  will  reimburse  such  banks,  brokers  and  fiduciaries  for their
out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

  A proxy for use at the Annual  Meeting  is  enclosed.  Any proxy  given may be
revoked by a  stockholder  at any time before it is exercised by filing with the
Company a notice in writing  revoking it or by duly  executing a proxy bearing a
later date. Proxies also may be revoked by any stockholder present at the Annual
Meeting who  expresses a desire to vote his or her shares in person.  Subject to
such  revocation and except as otherwise  stated herein or in the form of proxy,
all proxies duly  executed and received  prior to, or at the time of, the Annual
Meeting will be voted in accordance with the  specifications of the proxies.  If
no specification is made, proxies will be voted for the nominees for election of
directors set forth  elsewhere  herein (see "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS")  and at the
discretion of the proxyholders on all other matters that may properly be brought
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

                     OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

  There were  32,362,036  shares of the Company's  Common Stock,  $.01 par value
(the "Common Stock"), issued and outstanding on December 4, 1996, which has been
set as the record date for the purpose of determining  stockholders  entitled to
notice  of, and to vote at, the Annual  Meeting.  On any matter  submitted  to a
stockholder  vote,  each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote, in
person or by proxy, for each share of Common Stock registered in his or her name
on the books of the Company as of the record  date.  Under  Delaware law and the
Company's  Bylaws,  with  respect  to any  matter  other  than the  election  of
directors, the aggregate number of votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual  Meeting,  whether those
stockholders  vote for,  against or abstain  from voting on any matter,  will be
counted  for  purposes of  determining  whether a quorum  exists,  and the total
number of votes cast for each of these  matters  will be counted for purposes of
determining  whether sufficient  affirmative votes have been cast. The Company's
Bylaws  provide  that the  holders of a majority  of the issued and  outstanding
shares of  Common  Stock,  present  in person  or  represented  by proxy,  shall
constitute  a quorum.  An  abstention  from  voting on a matter  other  than the
election of directors by a stockholder present in person or represented by proxy
at the Annual  Meeting  will have the same legal  effect as a vote  against  the
matter,  and broker  non-votes  will have no effect with  respect to the matter.
<PAGE>

                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company,  the Board of  Directors  has fixed the
number of  directors  at nine and  nominated  the  persons  set forth  below for
election as directors of the Company at the Annual Meeting.  All of the nominees
are currently serving as directors of the Company.

  Unless  otherwise  specified  in the  accompanying  proxy,  the  shares  voted
pursuant  thereto will be voted for each of the persons  named below as nominees
for election as directors.  The nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast
will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and their
successors  have been elected and qualified.  If any nominee is unable to serve,
the proxies will be voted by the  proxyholders  in their  discretion for another
person.  The Board of Directors  has no reason to believe that any nominee named
will not be able to serve as a director for his or her prescribed term.

  According to the Bylaws of the Company,  any stockholder may make  nominations
for the election of directors if notice of such  nominations is delivered to, or
mailed and received at, the principal  executive  office of the Company not less
than thirty calendar days prior to the date of the originally scheduled meeting;
provided,  however,  that,  if less than forty  calendar  days'  notice or prior
public  disclosure  of the date of the meeting is given or made by the  Company,
notice  of such  nomination  must be so  received  not  later  than the close of
business on the tenth  calendar  day  following  the earlier of the day on which
notice of the meeting was mailed or the day on which such public  disclosure was
made.  If  nominations  are not so made,  only the  nominations  of the Board of
Directors may be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

  The following is a summary of certain  information  regarding the nominees for
election as directors.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               DIRECTOR
NAME                       AGE   SINCE             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ----                       --- ---------           --------------------
<S>                        <C> <C>       <C>
Donald R. Horton..........  46   1991    Mr. Horton was elected Chairman of the
                                          Board and President of the Company in
                                          July 1991. He has been involved in the
                                          real estate and homebuilding industries
                                          since 1972, and was the sole or
                                          principal shareholder, director and
                                          President of each of the Company's
                                          predecessor companies since their
                                          respective organization, which date
                                          from 1978 to 1990. Donald R. Horton is
                                          the brother of Terrill J. Horton and
                                          the nephew of Richard L. Horton.
Richard Beckwitt..........  37   1993    Mr. Beckwitt joined the Company as an
                                          Executive Vice President in March 1993
                                          and was elected director of the Company
                                          in July 1993. Since July 1996, Mr.
                                          Beckwitt has been President of the
                                          Company's Investments Division. From
                                          1986 to 1993, he worked in the Mergers
                                          and Acquisitions and Corporate Finance
                                          Departments at Lehman Brothers Inc.,
                                          specializing in the homebuilding and
                                          building products industries. Mr.
                                          Beckwitt graduated with honors from
                                          Claremont McKenna College with a
                                          Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Richard I. Galland........  80   1992    Mr. Galland was elected director of the
                                          Company in June 1992. He was formerly
                                          the Chief Executive Officer and
                                          Chairman of the Board of Fina, Inc., a
                                          director of First Republic Bank
                                          Corporation and Of Counsel to the law
                                          firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. Mr.
                                          Galland is currently serving as a
                                          director of Texas Industries, Inc. and
                                          Associated Materials, Inc.
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             DIRECTOR
     NAME                AGE   SINCE             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
     ----                --- ---------           --------------------
<S>                      <C> <C>       <C>
Richard L. Horton.......  53   1992    Mr. Horton was elected director of the
                                        Company in March 1992. He has been Vice
                                        President in charge of the Company's
                                        Dallas-Fort Worth East Division since
                                        May 1985. Richard L. Horton is the
                                        uncle of Donald R. Horton and Terrill
                                        J. Horton.
Terrill J. Horton.......  48   1992    Mr. Horton was elected director of the
                                        Company in March 1992. Since September
                                        1981, he has been Vice President in
                                        charge of one of the two former sales
                                        divisions that now form the Company's
                                        Dallas-Fort Worth North Division. Mr.
                                        Horton holds a Pharmaceutical Doctorate
                                        Degree from the University of Oklahoma
                                        School of Pharmacy. Terrill J. Horton
                                        is the brother of Donald R. Horton and
                                        the nephew of Richard L. Horton.
David J. Keller.........  48   1991    Mr. Keller was elected director of the
                                        Company in September 1991 and has been
                                        Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
                                        Chief Financial Officer of the Company
                                        since June 1991. Prior thereto, he was
                                        affiliated for 21 years with Ernst &
                                        Young LLP, independent auditors, and
                                        its predecessors, serving as an audit
                                        partner from 1983 to 1991. Mr. Keller
                                        holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in
                                        Accounting from the University of Notre
                                        Dame.
Francine I. Neff........  71   1992    Ms. Neff was elected director of the
                                        Company in June 1992. Since 1979, she
                                        has been Vice President of NETS, Inc.,
                                        a privately-owned investment company.
                                        Ms. Neff was formerly Treasurer of the
                                        United States and is currently serving
                                        as a director of Louisiana-Pacific
                                        Corporation.
Scott J. Stone..........  45   1992    Mr. Stone was elected director of the
                                        Company in March 1992. He has been Vice
                                        President of various of the Company's
                                        divisions since 1988, and was elected
                                        Vice President--Eastern Region of the
                                        Company in August 1994. Since October
                                        1996, Mr. Stone has acted as a
                                        consultant to the Company. Mr. Stone
                                        holds an Associate of Arts Degree from
                                        Miami University of Ohio.
Donald J. Tomnitz.......  48   1995    Mr. Tomnitz was elected director of the
                                        Company in November 1995. He has been
                                        Vice President of various of the
                                        Company's divisions since 1983, and was
                                        elected Vice President--Western Region
                                        of the Company in August 1994. Since
                                        July 1996, Mr. Tomnitz has been
                                        President of the Company's Homebuilding
                                        Division. Mr. Tomnitz previously was a
                                        Vice President of RepublicBank of
                                        Dallas, N.A., and a Vice President of
                                        Crow Development Company, a Trammell
                                        Crow Company. Mr. Tomnitz holds a
                                        Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics
                                        from Westminster College and a Masters
                                        in Business Administration Degree in
                                        Finance from Western Illinois
                                        University.
</TABLE>


                                       3
<PAGE>

  In July 1994,  Mr. Donald R. Horton  entered into a consent order that settled
an  investigation  by the Federal Reserve Board into whether he failed to comply
with  certain  regulatory  disclosure  or  other  obligations  relating  to  the
acquisition and financings of his controlling  interest in Provident  Bancorp of
Texas,   Inc.,  a  single  bank  holding   company   (together  with  its  bank,
"Provident"). Mr. Horton denied non-compliance.  In the consent order, which was
entered  without any findings of fact or law, Mr.  Horton  agreed to pay a civil
money penalty of $100,000 and contribute  $500,000 deemed restitution as part of
a capital infusion of up to $7.0 million in Provident.  The capital infusion was
made through an approved voting trust in order to address Provident's  financial
difficulties,  which predated his acquisition.  In the consent order, Mr. Horton
also agreed not to participate,  apart from the capital infusion, in the affairs
of insured  depository  institutions or their holding  companies,  without prior
regulatory  approval,  or to violate laws applicable thereto. Mr. Horton advised
the Company that his  agreements in the consent order were intended to avoid the
expense and delay required for further proceedings and to protect his investment
by improving Provident's regulatory capital. He also advised the Company that in
making a personal investment in Provident, he obtained the financial review of a
national  accounting firm and the advice of a national law firm as to regulatory
matters. In addition, Mr. Horton informed the Company that he filed suit against
the law firm that  represented  him in the Provident  acquisition  in connection
with such representation.  Mr. Horton subsequently informed the Company that the
litigation  against the law firm had been  satisfactorily  resolved  and that he
sold his interest in Provident.

  On November 14, 1996, Mr. Beckwitt  settled an investigation by the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  in  connection  with  his  purchase  of  stock  of an
unaffiliated  corporation in September  1994.  Without  admitting or denying the
allegations,  Mr.  Beckwitt  consented to a final  judgment  announced  that day
enjoining him from violating Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and rules 10b-5 and 14e-3 thereunder,  and providing for his payment
of the alleged profit and a civil penalty. Mr. Beckwitt advised the Company that
he believes it was in his best interest to resolve the matter without litigation
as it would avoid additional cost and distraction.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                     BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

  The following  table sets forth certain  information  regarding the beneficial
ownership  of the  Company's  Common  Stock as of  December  4,  1996 by (i) all
persons who are beneficial  owners of greater than 5% of the Common Stock,  (ii)
all directors and nominees of the Company, (iii) all named executive officers of
the Company,  and (iv) all directors and executive  officers of the Company as a
group. Unless stated otherwise,  the named beneficial owners possess sole voting
and investment power with respect to the shares set forth in the table.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                  NUMBER         PERCENT
      ------------------------              ----------------  -------------
                                            SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                            -------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>
Donald R. Horton...........................      6,763,060(1)      20.90%
Richard Beckwitt...........................         72,321(2)          *
Richard I. Galland.........................              915           *
Terrill J. Horton..........................      6,852,744(3)      21.18%
Richard L. Horton..........................          762,806        2.36%
David J. Keller............................        128,680(4)          *
Francine I. Neff...........................              363           *
Scott J. Stone.............................          388,263        1.20%
Donald J. Tomnitz..........................         89,108(5)          *
All directors and named executive officers
 as a group (9 persons)....................     15,058,260(6)      46.13%
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1%.

  (1) These shares of Common Stock include an aggregate of 478,579 shares
      owned by Mr. Horton's children. Mr. Horton's address is D.R. Horton,
      Inc., 1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, Texas 76006.

  (2) These shares of Common Stock  represent  shares issuable upon the exercise
      of outstanding stock options.

  (3) These  shares of Common Stock  include an  aggregate of 5,763,898  shares,
      consisting of 413,254 shares of Common Stock owned of record by the Donald
      Ray Horton  Trust,  376,893  shares of Common Stock owned of record by the
      Martha Elizabeth  Horton Trust,  2,069,702 shares of Common Stock owned of
      record by the Donald Ray Horton Trust Number Two, 953,811 shares of Common
      Stock owned of record by the Martha  Elizabeth Horton Trust Number Two and
      975,119  shares of Common Stock owned of record by each of the Donald Ryan
      Horton Trust and the Douglas Reagan Horton Trust. Mr. Horton serves as the
      sole  trustee for each of the  foregoing  trusts.  These  shares of Common
      Stock also include 9,159 shares owned by Mr.  Horton's  son. Mr.  Horton's
      address is D.R. Horton,  Inc., 1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington,
      Texas 76006.

  (4) These shares of Common Stock  include  4,718 shares held by Mr. Keller for
      the benefit of his children and 123,962 shares  issuable upon the exercise
      of outstanding stock options.

  (5) These shares of Common  Stock  include  81,774  shares  issuable  upon the
      exercise of outstanding stock options.

  (6) These shares of Common  Stock  include all shares of Common Stock owned or
      controlled by Terrill J. Horton,  including  those owned by the trusts and
      Mr. Horton's  children as set forth in note 3 above,  all shares of Common
      Stock owned or controlled by David J. Keller,  including those shares held
      on  behalf of Mr.  Keller's  children  as set  forth in note 4 above,  and
      278,057  shares of Common Stock  issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
      stock  options  held by Richard  Beckwitt,  David J.  Keller and Donald J.
      Tomnitz.


                                       5
<PAGE>

                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  The  following  tables set forth,  with respect to the President and the other
executive officers of the Company, all plan and non-plan  compensation  awarded,
earned or paid for all services  rendered in all  capacities  to the Company and
its subsidiaries during the periods indicated.

                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                       ANNUAL                           -----------------------------
                    COMPENSATION                              AWARDS          PAYOUTS
                    -------------                       -------------------   -------
                                              OTHER     RESTRICTED
     NAME AND                                 ANNUAL      STOCK    OPTIONS/    LTIP    ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION  YEAR  SALARY   BONUS   COMPENSATION   AWARDS     SARS     PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- ------------------  ---- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- --------   ------- ------------
<S>                 <C>  <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>
Donald R. Horton    1996 $235,000 $165,283     --          --          --       --      $30,515(5)
Chairman of Board   1995  235,000  138,650     --          --          --       --       26,725(6)
and President       1994  225,000  117,457     --          --          --       --       27,000(7)
Richard Beckwitt    1996 $185,000 $110,000     --          --       10,000      --      $24,825(5)
EVP and Director    1995  185,000  109,150     --          --       30,240(1)   --       24,144(6)
                    1994  150,000   75,000     --          --          --       --       15,000(7)
David J. Keller     1996 $185,000 $120,000     --          --       41,200(2)   --      $24,968(5)
EVP, Treasurer and  1995  185,000  109,150     --          --       39,841(3)   --       23,714(6)
CFO and Director    1994  175,000   87,500     --          --       24,721(4)   --       22,000(7)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The  number  of  shares  has  been  adjusted  pursuant  to the  antidilution
    provisions of the D.R.  Horton,  Inc. 1991  Incentive  Plan (the  "Incentive
    Plan") to reflect the effects of a seven-for-five  stock split effected as a
    40 percent stock dividend paid by the Company on September 16, 1995 (the "40
    Percent Stock  Dividend")  and an eight  percent stock  dividend paid by the
    Company on June 30, 1996 (the "8 Percent Stock Dividend").
(2) The number of shares  represents  a stock option  grant  originally  made in
    respect  of  15,000  shares  of  Common  Stock,  adjusted  pursuant  to  the
    antidilution  provisions of the Incentive Plan to reflect the effects of the
    8 Percent Stock Dividend, and a stock option grant made in respect of 25,000
    shares of Common Stock.
(3) The number of shares  represents  a stock option  grant  originally  made in
    respect  of  15,000  shares  of  Common  Stock,  adjusted  pursuant  to  the
    antidilution  provisions of the  Incentive  Plan to reflect the effects of a
    nine  percent  stock  dividend  paid by the Company on June 30, 1995 (the "9
    Percent Stock  Dividend"),  the 40 Percent Stock  Dividend and the 8 Percent
    Stock Dividend  (collectively,  the  "Dividends"),  and a stock option grant
    originally  made in  respect  of 10,000  shares of  Common  Stock,  adjusted
    pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Incentive Plan to reflect the
    effects of the 40 Percent Stock Dividend and the 8 Percent Stock Dividend.
(4) The  number  of  shares  has  been  adjusted  pursuant  to the  antidilution
    provisions of the Incentive Plan to reflect the effects of the Dividends.
(5) These amounts represent (a) credits made by the Company of $23,500,
    $18,500 and $18,500 to the accounts of Messrs. Horton, Beckwitt and
    Keller, respectively, under the D.R. Horton, Inc. Supplemental Executive
    Retirement Plan No. 2 ("SERP 2"), (b) the above-market portion of earnings
    on credits made by the Company of $2,515, $1,825, and $1,968 to the
    accounts of Messrs. Horton, Beckwitt and Keller, respectively, under SERP
    2, and (c) matching contributions by the Company of $4,500 to the accounts
    of each of Messrs. Horton, Beckwitt and Keller under the D.R. Horton, Inc.
    Profit Sharing Plus Plan (the "401(k) Plan").
(6) These amounts represent (a) credits made by the Company of $23,500,  $18,500
    and  $18,500  to the  accounts  of  Messrs.  Horton,  Beckwitt  and  Keller,
    respectively,  under SERP 2, (b) the  above-market  portion of  earnings  on
    credits  made by the  Company of $1,098,  $732 and $854 to the  accounts  of
    Messrs.  Horton,  Beckwitt and Keller,  respectively,  under SERP 2, and (c)
    matching  contributions  by the Company of $2,127,  $4,912 and $4,360 to the
    accounts of Messrs.  Horton,  Beckwitt and Keller,  respectively,  under the
    401(k) Plan.
(7) These amounts represent (a) credits made by the Company of $22,500,  $15,000
    and  $17,500  to the  accounts  of  Messrs.  Horton,  Beckwitt  and  Keller,
    respectively,  under SERP 2 and (b) matching contributions by the Company of
    $4,500 to the accounts of each of Messrs. Horton and Keller under the 401(k)
    Plan.


                                       6
<PAGE>

OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                         VALUE AT
                                                                                   ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                                                                                      OF STOCK PRICE
                                                                                  APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                            TERM
                         ------------------------------                           ------------------------
                                           % OF TOTAL
                                          OPTIONS/SARS
                                           GRANTED TO
                         OPTIONS/SARS     EMPLOYEES IN  EXERCISE OR   EXPIRATION
NAME                        GRANTED        FISCAL YEAR   BASE PRICE      DATE         5%          10%
- ----                     -------------    ------------- ------------  ----------- ----------- ------------
<S>                      <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
Richard Beckwitt........    10,000(1)         1.79%       $ 9.625      07-18-06   $    60,531 $   153,398
David J. Keller.........    16,200(2)(3)      2.68%       $10.185(2)   11-16-05   $   103,766 $   262,963
                            25,000(4)         4.47%       $ 9.625      07-18-06   $   151,328 $   383,495
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) These shares are covered by a  non-qualified  stock option granted under the
    Incentive Plan that becomes exercisable with respect to 1,000 of such shares
    on each of the first nine  anniversaries  of July 18, 1996, and with respect
    to 1,000 of such shares on April 18, 2006.
(2) The  number  of  shares  has  been  adjusted  pursuant  to the  antidilution
    provisions  of the  Incentive  Plan to reflect  the effects of the 8 Percent
    Stock Dividend.
(3) These shares are covered by a  non-qualified  stock option granted under the
    Incentive Plan that becomes exercisable with respect to 1,620 of such shares
    on each of the first nine  anniversaries  of  November  16,  1995,  and with
    respect to 1,620 of such shares on August 16, 2005.
(4) These shares are covered by a  non-qualified  stock option granted under the
    Incentive Plan that becomes exercisable with respect to 2,500 of such shares
    on each of the first nine  anniversaries  of July 18, 1996, and with respect
    to 2,500 of such shares on April 18, 2006.

AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR,
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                           NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED     IN-THE-MONEY
                                                              OPTIONS/SARS AT        OPTIONS/SARS
                                                              FISCAL YEAR-END     AT FISCAL YEAR-END
                         SHARES ACQUIRED ON                    EXERCISABLE/          EXERCISABLE/
NAME                          EXERCISE      VALUE REALIZED     UNEXERCISABLE        UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                     ------------------ -------------- --------------------- --------------------
<S>                      <C>                <C>            <C>                   <C>
Richard Beckwitt........       13,750          $ 48,249       72,312/294,021(1)  $260,107/965,296(1)
David J. Keller.........       40,775          $332,101       71,261/172,960(1)  $475,994/445,686(1)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1)Adjusted pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Incentive Plan to
reflect the effects of the Dividends.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

  Each  non-employee  director of the Company receives a fee of $25,000 per year
for all services  performed as a director,  and  reimbursement  for all expenses
incurred to attend Board and committee meetings. No additional fees are paid for
participation  on any committee of the Board.  No director of the Company who is
also an employee of the Company receives any additional compensation for serving
as a director of the Company.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

  During fiscal 1996, the Company's Compensation Committee was composed of
Messrs. Donald R. Horton, Richard Beckwitt, David J. Keller and Richard I.
Galland. Mr. Horton was the Chairman of the Board and President of the
Company, Mr. Beckwitt was Executive Vice President of the Company and Mr.
Keller was Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company during fiscal 1996.

                                       7
<PAGE>

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  General.  The  Company has  undertaken  to  formulate  a fair and  competitive
compensation  policy for  executive  officers  that will  attract,  motivate and
retain highly experienced,  qualified and productive personnel,  reward superior
performance and provide long-term incentives that are based on performance.  The
Company also has attempted to develop an executive compensation policy that will
serve to align the  interests of the  Company,  its  executive  officers and its
stockholders.  The primary components of executive  compensation consist of base
salaries, a performance-based cash bonus plan, participation in the D.R. Horton,
Inc.  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan  No.  1  ("SERP  1") and  SERP 2
(collectively,  the  "SERPs")  and stock  options.  The Company  has  undertaken
through its current executive  compensation policy to make a substantial portion
of the compensation an executive  officer has the opportunity to earn consist of
bonus and stock option incentives.

  Base Salaries. Base salaries for the Company's executive officers for the 1996
fiscal year were established by the  Compensation  Committee and approved by the
Board of Directors. Factors considered were generally subjective and include (i)
the  recommendation  of the  Chairman  of the  Board  and  President,  (ii)  the
contribution  the  executive  officer  made  and is  anticipated  to make to the
success of the Company,  (iii) the level of experience and responsibility of the
executive  officer and (iv) the Company's  historical levels of compensation for
executive  officers.  No quantitative  relative  weights were assigned to any of
these factors.

  Bonus Plan.  The 1996  Compensation  Plan for  Executive  Officers (the "Bonus
Plan") was established by the  Compensation  Committee and approved by the Board
of Directors.  The Bonus Plan provided each of the Company's  executive officers
the  opportunity  to earn  up to 100% of his  1996  annual  base  salary  at the
discretion  of the  Chairman of the Board and  President  and as approved by the
Compensation  Committee.  Participants  in the Bonus Plan earned bonuses ranging
from 59% to 70% of the respective amounts they were eligible to earn pursuant to
the Bonus Plan.

  SERPs.  The SERPs  were  adopted  by the  Company  in 1994 to permit  eligible
participants,  which include  executive  officers,  regional vice presidents and
division managers,  to defer income and establish a source of funds payable upon
retirement,  death or  disability.  Individual  agreements  under the SERPs were
adopted and approved by the Compensation  Committee and ratified by the Board of
Directors.  SERP 1 permits  participants  voluntarily to defer receipt of income
from the Company.  Amounts deferred are invested on behalf of the participant in
investment  vehicles selected from time to time by the administrators of SERP 1.
Pursuant to SERP 2, the Company has established a liability to each  participant
equal to 10% of the participant's  1996 base salary.  Earnings on this liability
accrue at a rate established from time to time by the administrators of SERP 2.

  Chairman of the Board and President's  1996  Compensation.  Donald R. Horton's
compensation  for the  Company's  1996 fiscal year  consisted  of an annual base
salary of $235,000 and  participation in the Bonus Plan and the SERPs. This base
salary and bonus  arrangement were made on the basis of the Company's  executive
compensation policy and the factors described above.

                            COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                  <C>                    <C>
Donald R. Horton    Richard Beckwitt     Richard I. Galland     David J. Keller
</TABLE>

  Stock Option  Grants.  Grants of stock options  under the  Incentive  Plan are
administered  by the Audit  Committee.  The Company  believes that stock options
provide an important  long-term  incentive  to executive  officers and align the
interests  of the  Company,  its  executive  officers  and its  stockholders  by
creating a direct link between  executive  compensation  and  long-term  Company
performance.  The stock options granted in fiscal 1996 have an exercise price of
not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and
a vesting schedule that extends over nine years. All other terms of stock option
grants are established by the Audit Committee, subject to the limitations of the
Incentive Plan.

                                       8
<PAGE>

  A total of three stock option  grants were made to two  executive  officers in
fiscal 1996. In determining  the number of shares of Common Stock covered by and
the vesting schedule of each stock option grant, the Audit Committee  considered
(i) the  recommendations  of the Chairman of the Board and  President,  (ii) the
contribution  the  executive  officer  made  and is  anticipated  to make to the
success of the Company,  (iii) the level of experience and responsibility of the
executive  officer,  (iv) the number of stock options that  previously  had been
granted to the  executive  officer  pursuant to the  Incentive  Plan and (v) the
number of stock options granted to other  participants in the Incentive Plan. No
quantitative relative weights were assigned to any of these factors.

                                AUDIT COMMITTEE


Richard I. Galland                                            Francine I. Neff

                                       9
<PAGE>

STOCK PERFORMANCE

  The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's  Common  Stock  from  June 5,  1992,  the date the  Common  Stock  was
registered  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the  "Exchange  Act"),
through  September 30, 1996,  assuming a  hypothetical  investment of $100 and a
reinvestment  of all  dividends  paid  on such an  investment,  compared  to the
Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index and a Peer Group Index  described  below for
the same period.


                             [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      6-5-92 12-31-92 9-30-93 9-30-94 9-30-95 9-30-96
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                 <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
  D. R. Horton, Inc.  $100.00 $ 88.61 $150.29 $127.69 $165.93 $162.53
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  S&P 500             $100.00 $101.62 $114.83 $119.06 $154.48 $185.89
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Peer Group          $100.00 $ 96.89 $146.25 $ 98.90 $113.39 $107.49
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)From June 12, 1992, through December 13, 1995, the Company's Common Stock was
traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market.  On and after  December  14,  1995,  the
Company's  Common Stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  Accordingly,
the  Company  has  substituted  the  Standard  and Poors 500 Stock Index for the
NASDAQ U.S. Stock Index,  the broad equity market index  previously  used by the
Company for purposes of this performance graph.

(2)The  Peer  Group  Index  includes  the  stock  performance  of the  following
homebuilders: Calton, Inc., Centex Corporation, Continental Homes Holding Corp.,
Engle  Homes,  Inc.,  Hovnanian  Enterprises,   Inc.,  Kaufman  and  Broad  Home
Corporation,  Lennar Corporation,  PHM Corporation,  The Presley Companies,  The
Ryland Group, Inc., Schuler Homes, Inc.,  Standard Pacific Corp., Toll Brothers,
Inc. and UDC Homes,  Inc. This group of companies is broader than the Standard &
Poor's Index of Homebuilders,  which consists of only three  companies,  and the
Company  believes  its Peer Group Index,  comprised  of  companies  with similar
operations,  is more indicative of the overall  performance of the industry as a
whole.

                                      10
<PAGE>

TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT

  The  Company  has agreed to  indemnify  each of its  directors  and  executive
officers to provide  them with the  maximum  indemnification  allowed  under its
certificate of incorporation  and applicable law with respect to the Company and
certain  corporations  previously  engaged in the homebuilding  business as D.R.
Horton  Custom  Homes that were not merged  into the  Company at the time of its
reorganization in December 1991.

                     MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

  The Board of Directors has appointed three standing committees: an Executive
Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee.

  The Executive Committee,  between meetings of the Board and while the Board is
not in session, possesses all the powers and may carry out all the duties of the
Board of Directors in the  management  of the business of the Company,  which by
law may be delegated to it by the Board of Directors.  The  Executive  Committee
acted 44 times by written consent during fiscal 1996. The Executive Committee is
currently composed of Messrs. Donald Horton, Beckwitt and Keller.

  The  Compensation  Committee is  empowered  to (i)  recommend to the Board the
compensation  to be  paid  to the  executive  officers  of the  Company  and its
subsidiaries and other  affiliates,  (ii) investigate and recommend to the Board
employee  benefit plans deemed  appropriate for the employees of the Company and
its subsidiaries and other affiliates, (iii) supervise the administration of any
such  employee  benefit plans  adopted by the Company and its  subsidiaries  and
other  affiliates  (other than the  Incentive  Plan) and (iv) perform such other
functions and undertake such investigations as the Board shall from time to time
direct. The Compensation Committee met once during fiscal 1996. The Compensation
Committee is currently composed of Messrs.  Galland, Donald Horton, Beckwitt and
Keller.

  The Audit Committee is empowered to (i) meet with the independent  auditors of
the Company and review the scope of their annual audit, any open questions as to
the choice of  acceptable  accounting  principles  to be  applied  and all other
matters relating to the auditors' relationship with the Company, (ii) advise and
assist the Board in evaluating  the auditors'  performance,  including the scope
and  adequacy  of  the  auditors'  examination,  (iii)  recommend  the  firm  of
independent  auditors  to be employed  by the Board,  (iv) review the  Company's
annual financial  statements and discuss such statements with the auditors,  (v)
receive and consider the auditors'  comments and  suggestions as to the internal
control  procedures,  adequacy of staff and other matters,  (vi)  administer the
Incentive   Plan,   (vii)  perform  such  other  functions  and  undertake  such
investigations relating to the operations or financial and accounting aspects of
the  Company as the Board  shall  direct,  and (viii)  retain and  consult  with
counsel or such other  experts as the  Committee  shall  consider  necessary  or
desirable in connection with the performance of its duties.  The Audit Committee
met twice and acted  once by  written  consent  during  fiscal  1996.  The Audit
Committee is currently composed of Mr. Galland and Ms. Neff.

  During fiscal 1996,  the Board of Directors  held four  meetings.  No director
attended fewer than 75 percent of the number of meetings of the Board and of the
committees on which he or she served during fiscal 1996, other than Mr.
Galland.

                        INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

  Ernst &  Young  LLP  served  as the  Company's  independent  certified  public
accountants  for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. A  representative  of
Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual  Meeting and will have
an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate  questions from
stockholders.

                                      11
<PAGE>

                STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS FOR 1998 ANNUAL MEETING

  Any  stockholder who intends to present a proposal for action at the Company's
1998  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  and to have the  Company  include  such
proposal  in its proxy  soliciting  materials  pursuant  to Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange  Act must  deliver a copy of the proposal to the Company not later than
August 15,  1997.  In  addition,  the Bylaws of the  Company  provide  that only
stockholder  proposals  submitted  in a timely  manner to the  Secretary  of the
Company may be acted upon at an annual meeting of stockholders.  To be timely, a
stockholder's  notice  must be  delivered  to, or mailed  and  received  at, the
principal  executive offices of the Company not less than 30 calendar days prior
to the date of the originally  scheduled meeting;  provided,  however,  that, if
less than 40 calendar days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
scheduled meeting is given or made by the Company,  notice by the stockholder to
be timely must be so received  not later than the close of business on the tenth
calendar day  following  the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date
of the scheduled  meeting was mailed or the day on which such public  disclosure
was made.

            SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

  Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors, certain of
its officers  and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered  class of
the  Company's  equity  securities  to file reports of ownership  and changes in
ownership  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC").  Officers,
directors  and  greater  than  10  percent  stockholders  are  required  by  SEC
regulations  to furnish the Company with copies of all forms they file  pursuant
to Section 16(a).

  Based  solely on its review of the copies of such  forms  received  by it, the
Company  believes  that during the year ended  September  30,  1996,  all filing
requirements  applicable to its officers,  directors and greater than 10 percent
beneficial  owners were complied with,  other than with respect to Mr. Donald R.
Horton, who filed one late report on Form 4 relating to one transaction.

                                 OTHER MATTERS

  Management  knows of no other matters to be voted upon at the Annual  Meeting.
If any other matter is properly  brought  before the Annual  Meeting,  it is the
intention of the persons named in the form of proxy to vote in their  discretion
upon such matters in accordance with their judgment.

  You are urged to sign,  date and return  the  enclosed  proxy in the  envelope
provided.  No postage is  required  if the  envelope  is mailed  from within the
United States. If you subsequently  decide to attend the Annual Meeting and wish
to vote your shares in person,  you may do so. Your  cooperation  in giving this
matter your prompt attention is appreciated.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                          John M. Saganich
                                          Secretary

Arlington, Texas December 20, 1996

                                      12
<PAGE>


PROXY
                               D.R. HORTON, INC.
            1901 ASCENSION BLVD., SUITE 100, ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76006
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  The undersigned  hereby nominates,  constitutes and appoints Donald R. Horton,
Richard Beckwitt and David J. Keller,  and each of them,  attorneys,  agents and
proxies of the  undersigned,  with full power of substitution to each and hereby
authorizes  them to represent  and to vote as  designated  below,  all shares of
Common  Stock  of D.R.  Horton,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  held of  record  by the
undersigned  at the close of business on December 4, 1996 at the Annual  Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on January 23, 1997 or any adjournment thereof.

1. ELECTION   FOR all nominees listed      WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to
   OF         below                        vote
   DIRECTORS  (except as marked to the     for all nominees listed
              contrary below) [_]          below [_]
   Donald R. Horton, Richard Beckwitt, Richard I. Galland, Richard L. Horton,
Terrill J. Horton, David J. Keller, Francine I. Neff, Scott J. Stone and Donald
                                   J. Tomnitz
  (INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee write
               that nominee's name in the space provided below.)


2. In their  discretion,  the  proxies  are  authorized  to vote upon such other
   business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL. THIS PROXY WHEN
PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
THE PROPOSAL.

                     PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON REVERSE SIDE.

  The  undersigned  hereby  ratifies and confirms  all that said  attorneys  and
proxies, or any of them, or their substitutes,  shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof,  and hereby revokes any and all proxies  heretofore given
by the undersigned to vote at said meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt
of the notice of said annual meeting and the proxy statement  accompanying  said
notice.

                                              Dated:                  199
                                                     ---------------      --

                                              ---------------------------------
                                                         (Signature)

                                              ---------------------------------
                                                         (Signature)

                                              Please   sign   exactly  as  names
                                              appear  herein.  When  shares  are
                                              held by joint tenants, both should
                                              sign.  When  signing as  attorney,
                                              executor, administrator,  trustee,
                                              or  guardian,   please  give  full
                                              titles as such. If a  corporation,
                                              please sign in full corporate name
                                              by President  or other  authorized
                                              officer. If a partnership,  please
                                              sign   in   partnership   name  by
                                              authorized person.

   PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
                                   ENVELOPE.


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