<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCAIL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH RENT
CORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,092
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,459
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (617)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         261,247<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (71,198)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 222,940
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,675
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,247
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   222,940
<SALES>                                         60,301
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,301
<CGS>                                           32,625
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,625
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,541
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,862
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,272
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,271
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,001
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,001
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
<F2> ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION RELATED TO FOOTNOTE <F1> ABOVE
</FN>