<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM McGRATH
RENTCORP FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                             757
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,596
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         376,891<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                               (103,266)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,588
<OTHER-SE>                                      86,436
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   301,823
<SALES>                                         31,643
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                31,643
<CGS>                                           15,690
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,695
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,944
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,314
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,632
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,703<F3>
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45
<FN>
<F1>Includes rental equipment, Land, Buildings, Land Improvements, Furniture and
Equipment.
<F2>Accumulated depreciation related to PP&E footnote above.
<F3>Net income includes reduction of minority interest in income of subsidiary.
</FN>