<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             547
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,371
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         326,300<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (83,777)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 274,932
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,648
<OTHER-SE>                                      93,401
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   274,932
<SALES>                                        105,303
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               105,303
<CGS>                                           57,195
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,195
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,104
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,720
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,284
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,326
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,030<F3>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.25
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION OF F1 ABOVE
<F3>MINORITY INTEREST INCLUDED
</FN>