<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH RENTCORP FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 4,749 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 16,367 <ALLOWANCES> (650) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 339,975<F1> <DEPRECIATION> (90,223)<F2> <TOTAL-ASSETS> 274,776 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 7,824 <OTHER-SE> 91,431 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 274,776 <SALES> 28,494 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 28,494 <CGS> 13,997 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,997 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,199 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,516 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,782 <INCOME-TAX> 3,447 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,371<F3> <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.39 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.38 <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>