<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM McGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10-Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,443
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,973
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         305,755<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (77,906)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 256,968
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,698
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,889
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   256,968
<SALES>                                         27,350
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                27,350
<CGS>                                           13,786
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,786
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,704
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,451
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,409
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,313
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,096
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,968<F3>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL, EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT.
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION OF FOOTNOTE 1 ABOVE.
<F3>MINORITY INTEREST IN INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY IS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME.
</FN>