<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM McGRATH
RENTCORP FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             538
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,444
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         299,078<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (75,576)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 252,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,756
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,889
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   252,392
<SALES>                                        134,976
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               134,976
<CGS>                                           73,570
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   73,570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,956
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 41,379
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,323
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,045
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, BUILDINGS, LAND IMPROVEMENT FURNITURE 
AND EQUIPMENT 
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION RELATED TO FOOTNOTE 16 ABOVE
</FN>