<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>