<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from The Fortress
Group, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2000 and The Fortress
Group, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.



<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                   1.00
<CASH>                                           7,400
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,049
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    349,249
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          11,023
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 461,811
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                            31
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   461,811
<SALES>                                        489,167
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               489,167
<CGS>                                          413,585
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  476,332
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,996)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,476
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,382
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,257
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,125
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80