<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) McGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,076
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,841
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         317,958<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (80,385)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 266,575
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,702
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,466
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   266,575
<SALES>                                         60,825
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,825
<CGS>                                           31,398
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,544
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,034
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,427
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,942<F3>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.75
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION OF <F1> ABOVE
<F3>MINORITY INTEREST IN INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY INCLUDED
</FN>