<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORTRESS
GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996, JUNE 30, 1996,
AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND FROM THE FORTRESS GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OEPRATIONS FOR THE YEAR EDNED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,
1996 AND THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001010607
<NAME>                        The Fortress Group, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                        U.S.

<S>                             <C>                             <C>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                          3-MOS                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996                     DEC-31-1996                   DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-21-1996                     MAY-21-1996                    JUL-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996                     JUN-30-1996                   SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                   1.00                            1.00                          1.00
<CASH>                                          16,212                          30,688                        14,380
<SECURITIES>                                         0                               0                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,878                           4,347                        12,580
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                               0                             0
<INVENTORY>                                    144,106                         133,489                       150,645
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                               0                             0
<PP&E>                                          34,543                           1,829                         2,507
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                               0                             0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 193,733                         179,647                       193,261
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                               0                             0
<BONDS>                                              0                               0                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                               0                             0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                               0                             0
<COMMON>                                           118                             118                           118
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,868                          26,623                        24,973
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   193,733                         179,647                       193,261
<SALES>                                        209,848                          42,388                        76,051
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               210,354                          42,388                        76,557
<CGS>                                          177,387                          35,718                        64,214
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  197,567                          39,412                        72,166
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                             (58)                         (329)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                               0                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 429                              36                            95
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,221                           2,983                         4,623
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,013                           1,125                         1,776
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                               0                             0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                               0                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                               0                             0
<CHANGES>                                            0                               0                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,208                           1,858                         2,847
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.69                            0.16                          0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69                            0.16                          0.24



</TABLE>