<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM McGRATH
RENTCORP FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                             586
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,006
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         350,554<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (93,436)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 286,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,768
<OTHER-SE>                                      93,075
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   286,700
<SALES>                                         60,133
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,133
<CGS>                                           30,293
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,293
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,188
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,097
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,555
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,283
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,218<F3>
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81
<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>