<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             576
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (605)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         225,868<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (64,135)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 179,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,277
<OTHER-SE>                                      78,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   179,321
<SALES>                                         37,347
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                37,347
<CGS>                                           17,557
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,557
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,303
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,317
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,725
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,725
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION RELATED TO FOOTNOTE 16 ABOVE
</FN>