SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


         Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): APRIL 9, 2003


                              MERITAGE CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


           MARYLAND                  I-9977                     86-0611231
(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission                 (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)            File Number)              Identification No.)


          8501 E. PRINCESS DRIVE, SUITE 290, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85255
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


                                 (480) 609-3330
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORM FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

     (c)  Exhibits

          99.1      Press Release dated April 9, 2003.

ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE AND
ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

     References to "we," "our" and "us" in this Current Report on Form 8-K refer
to Meritage Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

     On April 9, 2003,  we announced in a press release  information  concerning
our new orders,  closings and backlog for the  quarterly  period ended March 31,
2003.  A  copy  of  this  press  release,   including   information   concerning
forward-looking  statements and factors that may affect our future  results,  is
attached  hereto as Exhibit  99.1.  This press release is being  furnished,  not
filed, under Item 12 in this Report on Form 8-K.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: April 9, 2003

                                        MERITAGE CORPORATION

                                        /s/ Vicki L. Biggs
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        By: Vicki L. Biggs
                                            Chief Accounting Officer and
                                            Vice President-Corporate Controller
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.       Description
- -----------       -----------
  99.1            Press Release