<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           1,067
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,186
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (605)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         232,362<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (65,691)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 188,647
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,585
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,662
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   188,647
<SALES>                                         62,843
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,843
<CGS>                                           30,529
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,529
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,952
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,062
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,110
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,190
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>16) Includes Rental Equipment, Land, Land Improvements, Furniture and Equipment
<F2>17) Accumulated Depreciation related to 16 above
</FN>