UNITED STATES
                       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) September 16, 1998
                                                 ------------------

                              MERITAGE CORPORATION 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         Maryland                      1-9977                    86-0611231     
- ----------------------------        -----------                -------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission                (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)              File Number)             Identification No.)



6613 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 200, Scottsdale, Arizona             85250    
- ----------------------------------------------------------           ---------  
      (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (602) 998-8700
                                                   ------------------


                           MONTEREY HOMES CORPORATION
         -------------------------------------------------------------- 
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Item 5. Other Events

     On September 16, 1998, the  Stockholders of the Company approved a proposal
to change the  Company's  name to Meritage  Corporation.  The name change became
effective as of September 17, 1998.  The name change is more fully  described in
the press release included herein as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

          (a)  Not applicable

          (b)  Not applicable

          (c)  Exhibit  99.1  Press  Release  dated  September  16,  1998  Filed
               herewith.



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                                   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.


                                               MERITAGE CORPORATION


Date: October 12, 1998                          By:  /s/ Steven J. Hilton
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                         Steven J. Hilton
                                                         Managing Director


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