AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 3, 1997
 
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
 
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                   FORM S-1
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
         DELAWARE                      7353                    06-1493538
     (STATE OR OTHER            (PRIMARY STANDARD           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     JURISDICTION OF                INDUSTRIAL               IDENTIFICATION
     INCORPORATION OR          CLASSIFICATION CODE              NUMBER)
      ORGANIZATION)                  NUMBER)
                          FOUR GREENWICH OFFICE PARK
                         GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
                                (203) 622-3131
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                               BRADLEY S. JACOBS
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
                          FOUR GREENWICH OFFICE PARK
                         GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
                                (203) 622-3131
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                ---------------
                       Copies of all communications to:
         JOSEPH EHRENREICH, ESQ.                 STEPHEN M. BESEN, ESQ.
EHRENREICH EILENBERG KRAUSE & ZIVIAN LLP       WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
            11 E. 44TH STREET                       767 FIFTH AVENUE
        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017                NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10153
             (212) 986-9700                          (212) 310-8000
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: Subject to
lock-up restrictions ranging from 180 days to three years following completion
of the Registrant's initial public offering, from time to time, as determined
by the holders of the securities registered hereby, after the effective date
of this Registration Statement.
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, please check the following box. [X]
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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                                            PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF     AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED   REGISTERED      PER SHARE(1)   OFFERING PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   
 Common Stock, par value
  $.01 per share ("Common
  Stock")...............      16,376,156(2)      $14.00(5)     $229,266,184
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Common Stock...........       6,344,058(3)      $14.00(5)     $ 88,816,812
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Common Stock(4)........          25,000(4)      $16.80(6)     $    420,000
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 Total..................      22,745,214                       $318,502,996        $93,959
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  None of the shares of Common Stock registered hereby may be publicly sold or
transferred for a period of 180 days after December [ ], 1997 [date of
prospectus for the Registrant's initial public offering referred to in
footnote (5) below] without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch & Co.
on behalf of the underwriters for the Registrant's initial public offering.
Upon expiration of such 180-day lock-up period, approximately 3,028,873 of the
shares of Common Stock registered hereby will continue to be subject to lock-
up agreements with the Company that prohibit the sale or transfer of such
shares without the prior written consent of the Company. Such lock-up
agreements with the Company will lapse with respect to one-third of the shares
subject thereto on December [ ], 1998 [first anniversary of closing of initial
public offering], with respect to an additional one-third of the shares
subject thereto on December [ ], 1999 [second anniversary of closing of
initial public offering] and with respect to the balance of the shares subject
thereto on December [ ], 2000 [third anniversary of closing of initial public
offering].
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of computing the amount of the registration
    fee.
(2) Consists of currently outstanding shares.
(3) Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants, which
    provide for exercise prices of less than $14.00 per share.
(4) Consists of shares issuable upon conversion of an outstanding convertible
    note, which provides for a conversion price of 120% of the initial public
    offering price per share in the Company's initial public offering.
(5) There is currently no public trading market for the Common Stock. However,
    the Company has filed a registration statement (Registration No. 333-
    39117) for a proposed initial public offering of Common Stock (the "IPO").
    The $14.00 maximum offering price per share set forth in the table above
    represents the estimated initial public offering price per share in the
    IPO (based on the high end of the estimated price range contained in the
    registration statement relating to the IPO).
(6) Represents 120% of the estimated initial public offering price per share
    in the IPO (based on the high end of the estimated price range contained
    in the registration statement relating to the IPO).
                                ---------------
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A)
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 


                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
                                                                       
Prospectus Summary.......................................................
Risk Factors.............................................................
Use of Proceeds..........................................................
Certain Information Concerning Initial Public Offering...................
Dividend Policy..........................................................
Capitalization...........................................................
Selected Historical and Pro Form Consolidated Financial Information......
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................
Business.................................................................
Management...............................................................
Principal Stockholders...................................................
Description of Capital Stock.............................................
Certain Charter and By-Law Provisions....................................
Certain United States Federal Tax Considerations.........................
Selling Security Holders.................................................
Plan of Distribution.....................................................
Legal Matters............................................................
Experts..................................................................
Available Information....................................................
Financial Statements.....................................................


 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
PROSPECTUS
                               22,745,214 SHARES
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                  ----------
 
  This Prospectus relates to 22,745,214 shares of Common Stock ("Common Stock")
of United Rentals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), that may from
time to time be sold by the holders thereof identified herein (the "Selling
Security Holders"). See "Selling Security Holders." ALL OF THE SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LOCK-UP RESTRICTIONS AS
DESCRIBED BELOW. THE COMMON STOCK COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE
PUBLICLY SOLD PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THE APPLICABLE LOCK-UP
RESTRICTION.
 
  The shares to which the Prospectus relates include: (i) 16,057,444 currently
outstanding shares which were sold by the Company in private placements, (ii)
318,712 currently outstanding shares which were issued as consideration for an
acquisition, (iii) 6,344,058 authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock
that may hereafter be acquired by Selling Security Holders pursuant to certain
outstanding warrants (the "Warrants") which were sold by the Company in private
placements and (iv) 25,000 authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock that
may hereafter be acquired by Selling Security Holders pursuant to a convertible
note that the Company issued as part of the consideration for an acquisition.
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sales of shares of
Common Stock by the Selling Security Holders. However, the Company will receive
the proceeds from any exercise of the Warrants. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
  None of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus may be publicly
sold or transferred for a period of 180 days after December [ ], 1997 [date of
prospectus for the Company's initial public offering] without the prior written
consent of Merrill Lynch & Co. ("Merrill Lynch") on behalf of the underwriters
for the Company's initial public offering, pursuant to lock-up agreements
entered into in connection with the Company's initial public offering. Upon
expiration of such 180-day lock-up period, approximately 3,028,873 of the
shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus will continue to be subject
to lock-up agreements with the Company that prohibit the sale or transfer of
such shares without the prior written consent of the Company. Such lock-up
agreements with the Company will lapse with respect to one-third of the shares
subject thereto on December [ ], 1998 [first anniversary of closing of initial
public offering], with respect to an additional one-third of the shares subject
thereto on December [ ], 1999 [second anniversary of closing of initial public
offering] and with respect to the balance of the shares subject thereto on
December [ ], 2000 [third anniversary of closing of initial public offering].
 
  The Common Stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "URI", subject to official notice of issuance.
 
  The Common Stock offered by the Selling Security Holders (the "Resale
Shares") may be sold from time to time by the Selling Security Holders directly
to purchasers, or alternatively, may be offered from time to time through
agents, brokers, dealers or underwriters, who may receive compensation in the
form of concessions or commissions from the Selling Security Holder or
purchasers of the Resale Shares (which compensation may be in excess of
customary commissions). Sales of the Resale Shares may be made in one or more
transactions through the New York Stock Exchange, in over-the-counter markets,
in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, and such sales may be made
at the market price prevailing at the time of sale, a price related to such
prevailing market price or a negotiated price.
 
  Any brokers, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the
Resale Shares may be deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received by
them and any profit on the resale of such shares positioned by them might be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of
1933.
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED
HEREBY.
 
                                  ----------
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
 ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY
  IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  ----------
 
                The date of this Prospectus is December 3, 1997

 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  On December [ ], 1997, the Company commenced an initial public offering (the
"IPO") of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the
information contained in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of the over-
allotment option (described under "Certain Information Concerning Initial
Public Offering") granted to the underwriters in connection with the IPO.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  United Rentals was formed in September 1997 for the purpose of creating a
large, geographically diversified equipment rental company and commenced rental
operations in October 1997 by acquiring six established equipment rental
companies. The Company rents a broad array of equipment to a diverse customer
base that includes construction industry participants, industrial companies,
homeowners and other individuals. The Company also engages in related
activities such as selling used rental equipment, acting as a distributor for
certain new equipment, and selling related merchandise and parts. The Company
had pro forma revenues of $51.9 million during 1996 and $42.1 million during
the first nine months of 1997.
 
  United Rentals currently operates 12 rental locations in five states:
California (6), Colorado (1), North Carolina (3), Texas (1), and Utah (1). The
Company's locations are managed by experienced professionals who have been
involved in the equipment rental industry an average of 24 years and have
substantial knowledge of the local markets served. These managers are former
owners/employees of the businesses acquired by the Company. The types of rental
equipment offered by the Company include a broad range of light to heavy
construction and industrial equipment (such as pumps, generators, forklifts,
backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, aerial lifts and compressors), general tools and
equipment (such as hand tools and garden and landscaping equipment) and special
event equipment (such as tents, tables and chairs). The equipment mix varies at
each of the Company's locations, with some locations offering a general mix and
some specializing in specific equipment categories. As of November 30, 1997,
the Company's rental equipment included approximately 11,800 units (not
including special event equipment), had an original purchase price of
approximately $65.7 million and had a weighted average age (based on original
purchase price) of approximately four years.
 
  The Company estimates that the U.S. equipment rental industry (including used
and new equipment sales by rental companies) generates annual revenues in
excess of $20 billion. The combined equipment rental revenues of the 100
largest equipment rental companies have increased at an estimated compound
annual rate of approximately 21% from 1992 through 1996 (based upon revenues
reported by the Rental Equipment Register, an industry trade publication). The
Company believes that this growth primarily reflects increasing recognition by
customers of the many advantages that equipment rental may offer compared with
ownership, including the ability to: (i) avoid the large capital investment
required for equipment purchases, (ii) reduce storage and maintenance costs,
(iii) supplement owned equipment, thereby increasing the range and number of
jobs that can be worked on, (iv) access a broad selection of equipment and
select the equipment best suited for each particular job, (v) obtain equipment
as needed and minimize the costs associated with idle equipment, and (vi)
access the latest technology without investing in new equipment.
 
  The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and consists of a small
number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of
relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. Based
upon rental revenues reported by the Rental Equipment Register: (i) there are
only five equipment rental companies that had 1996 equipment rental revenues in
excess of $100 million (with the largest company having 1996 equipment rental
revenues of approximately $400 million), (ii) the largest 100 equipment rental
companies combined have less than a 20% share of the market based on 1996
equipment rental revenues and the Company's estimate of the size of the market
(with the largest company having a market share of less than 3%), and (iii)
there are approximately 100 equipment rental companies that had 1996 equipment
rental
 
                                       2

 
revenues between $5 million and $100 million. In addition, the Company
estimates that there are more than 20,000 companies with annual equipment
rental revenues of less than $5 million. The Company believes that the
fragmented nature of the industry presents substantial consolidation and growth
opportunities for companies with access to capital and the ability to implement
a disciplined acquisition program and effectively integrate and operate
acquired companies.
 
                                GROWTH STRATEGY
 
  The Company's growth strategy is to expand through a disciplined acquisition
program, the opening of new rental locations and internal growth and to further
diversify its equipment categories and customer markets. The Company believes
that as it expands it should gain competitive advantages relative to smaller
operators, including greater purchasing power, a lower cost of capital, the
ability to provide customers with a broader range of equipment and services and
with newer and better maintained equipment, and greater flexibility to transfer
equipment among locations in response to customer demand.
 
  The Company is seeking to acquire companies of varying size, including
relatively large companies to serve as platforms for regional development and
smaller companies to complement existing or anticipated locations. In
evaluating potential acquisition targets, the Company considers a number of
factors, including the quality of the target's rental equipment and management,
the opportunities to improve operating margins and increase internal growth at
the target, the economic prospects of the region in which the target is
located, the potential for additional acquisitions in the region, and the
competitive landscape in the target's markets. The Company will seek expansion
opportunities in the United States and Canada and will pursue acquisition
candidates with varying types of equipment and customer specializations. The
Company believes that geographic and customer diversification will allow the
Company to participate in the overall growth of the equipment rental industry
and reduce the Company's sensitivity to fluctuations in regional economic
conditions or changes that affect particular market segments.
 
  The Company believes that there will be significant opportunities to improve
operating margins at acquired companies through the efficient integration of
new and existing operations, the elimination of duplicative costs, reduction in
overhead, the centralization of functions such as purchasing and information
technology, and the application of best practices. The Company also believes
that a lack of capital has constrained expansion and modernization at many
small and mid-sized equipment rental companies and that as a result there is
significant potential to increase internal growth at many acquired companies
through capital investment. The Company will seek to increase internal growth
by investing in additional and more modern equipment, using advanced
information technology systems to improve asset utilization and tracking,
increasing sales and marketing efforts, expanding the customer segments and
geographic areas served, and opening complementary locations.
 
                                   BACKGROUND
 
  The Company was founded by eight of the Company's officers, who contributed
an aggregate of $44.4 million in cash to the capital of the Company. Each of
the founders was formerly a senior executive of United Waste Systems, Inc.
("United Waste"), a solid waste management company that was sold in August
1997, or a senior member of United Waste's acquisition team. United Waste
executed a growth strategy that combined a disciplined acquisition program
(including over 200 acquisitions completed from January 1995 through August
1997), the integration and optimization of acquired facilities, and internal
growth. The Company believes that the extensive experience of its management
team in acquiring and effectively integrating and operating acquisition targets
should enable the Company to capitalize on consolidation opportunities in the
equipment rental industry.
 
  United Rentals, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
in August 1997, initially capitalized in September 1997 and commenced rental
operations in October 1997 by acquiring the six Initial Acquired Companies. The
executive offices of the Company are located at Four Greenwich Office Park,
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, and its telephone number is (203) 622-3131.
 
                                       3

 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Common Stock Offered........  This Prospectus relates to up to 22,745,214
                              shares of Common Stock of the Company that may be
                              sold from time to time by the Selling Security
                              Holders. See "Selling Security Holders." ALL OF
                              THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK COVERED BY THIS
                              PROSPECTUS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LOCKUP
                              RESTRICTIONS AS DESCRIBED BELOW. THE COMMON STOCK
                              COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE SOLD PRIOR
                              TO THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THE
                              APPLICABLE LOCK-UP RESTRICTIONS. The shares to
                              which the Prospectus relates include (i)
                              16,057,444 currently outstanding shares which
                              were sold by the Company in private placements,
                              (ii) 318,712 currently outstanding shares which
                              were issued as consideration for an acquisition,
                              (iii) 6,344,058 authorized and unissued shares of
                              Common Stock that may be acquired pursuant to
                              certain outstanding Warrants which were sold by
                              the Company in private placements and (iv) 25,000
                              authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock
                              that may hereafter be acquired pursuant to a
                              convertible note that the Company issued as part
                              of the consideration for an acquisition.
 
Lock-up Restrictions........  None of the shares of Common Stock covered by
                              this Prospectus may be publicly sold or
                              transferred for a period of 180 days after
                              December [ ], 1997 [date of prospectus for
                              initial public offering] without the prior
                              written consent of Merrill Lynch on behalf of the
                              underwriters for the IPO, pursuant to lock-up
                              agreements entered into in connection with the
                              IPO. Upon expiration of such 180-day lock-up
                              period, approximately 3,028,873 of the shares of
                              Common Stock covered by this Prospectus will
                              continue to be subject to lock-up agreements with
                              the Company that prohibit the sale or transfer of
                              such shares without the prior written consent of
                              the Company. Such lock-up agreements with the
                              Company will lapse with respect to one-third of
                              the shares subject thereto on December [ ], 1998
                              [first anniversary of closing of the IPO], with
                              respect to an additional one-third of the shares
                              subject thereto on December [ ], 1999 [second
                              anniversary of closing of the IPO] and with
                              respect to the balance of the shares subject
                              thereto on December [ ], 2000 [third anniversary
                              of closing of the IPO].
 
Common Stock Outstanding....  Upon completion of the IPO, there will be
                              23,376,156 shares outstanding (24,426,156 if the
                              over-allotment option granted to the underwriters
                              is exercised in full).(1)
 
New York Stock Exchange       URI
Symbol......................
 
Use of Proceeds.............  The Company will not receive any proceeds from
                              the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling
                              Security Holders. The Company may, in the future,
                              receive proceeds from the exercise of the
                              Warrants referenced in this Prospectus, but only
                              if such Warrants
 
                                       4

 
                              are exercised and then only in an amount equal to
                              the exercise price thereof ($10.00 per share)
                              multiplied by the number of Warrants exercised.
                              Assuming all such Warrants are exercised, the
                              aggregate net proceeds to the Company from such
                              excercises would be approximately $63.4 million.
                              The Company expects to use any such proceeds for
                              future acquisitions, capital expenditures and
                              general corporate purposes.
- --------
 
(1) Does not include (i) 6,344,058 shares issuable upon the exercise of
    outstanding Warrants, all of which are currently exercisable at an exercise
    price of $10.00 per share, (ii) 797,500 shares issuable upon the exercise
    of outstanding options granted pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Option
    Plan, which provide for exercise prices ranging from $10.00 to $30.00 per
    share, the weighted average exercise price being $12.49 per share, (iii)
    4,202,500 shares reserved for possible future grants of options under the
    Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan, and (iv) shares issuable upon conversion
    of a $300,000 convertible note which provides for a conversion price per
    share equal to 120% of the initial public offering price per share in the
    IPO. Also does not reflect adjustments which may change the number of
    shares issued as consideration for the acquisition of one of the Initial
    Acquired Companies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
    Condition and Results of Operations--Consideration Paid for Initial
    Acquired Companies," "Management--Capital Contributions by Officers and
    Directors" and "Description of Capital Stock--Warrants, Options and
    Convertible Notes."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
  See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 for a discussion of certain risks that
should be considered in connection with an investment in the Common Stock
offered hereby.
 
                                       5

 
 
      SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The Company was incorporated in August 1997, initially capitalized in
September 1997, and commenced rental operations in October 1997 by acquiring
the six Initial Acquired Companies. The following unaudited pro forma income
statement data with respect to each of the periods set forth below gives effect
to the acquisition of each of the Initial Acquired Companies, the financing of
each such acquisition and all issuances of Common Stock after the beginning of
the period, as if all such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the
period presented. The following unaudited pro forma balance sheet data as of
September 30, 1997 gives effect to the acquisition of each of the Initial
Acquired Companies, the financing of each such acquisition, and all issuances
of Common Stock after September 30, 1997, as if all such transactions had
occurred on such date. The following unaudited pro forma as adjusted balance
sheet data gives effect to the foregoing and to completion of the IPO at an
assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share (the midpoint of the
estimated price range) and the application of a portion of the estimated net
proceeds therefrom to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Company's
revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). See "Capitalization" and
"Certain Information Concerning Initial Public Offering--Use of Proceeds From
IPO."
 


                             HISTORICAL                   PRO FORMA
                         ------------------- ------------------------------------
                             PERIOD FROM
                           AUGUST 14, 1997                        NINE MONTHS
                         (INCEPTION) THROUGH    YEAR ENDED           ENDED
                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1997  DECEMBER 31, 1996 SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                         ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Total revenues..........       $   --             $51,889           $ 42,095
Gross profit............           --              19,349             15,210
Operating income
 (loss).................          (348)             7,160              5,542
Interest expense .......           --               1,641              1,231
Other (income) expense,
 net....................           (75)              (412)              (482)
                               -------            -------           --------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes...........          (273)             5,931              4,793
Income taxes............           --               2,372              1,917
                               -------            -------           --------
Net income (loss).......       $  (273)           $ 3,559           $  2,876
                               =======            =======           ========
Earnings (loss) per
 common share...........       $ (0.02)           $  0.20           $   0.16
                               =======            =======           ========

                                         AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                         --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   PRO FORMA
                             HISTORICAL          PRO FORMA        AS ADJUSTED
                         ------------------- ----------------- ------------------
                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                      
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
 equivalents............       $54,638            $    50           $ 56,807
Rental equipment, net...           --              37,117             37,117
Total assets............        54,851             93,107            149,865
Debt....................           --              26,683                300
Stockholders' equity....        54,699             60,518            143,659

 
 
                                       6

 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  An investment in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby involves a high
degree of risk. In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the
following Risk Factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an
investment in the Common Stock.
 
RECENTLY FORMED COMPANY; ABSENCE OF OPERATING HISTORY
 
  The Company was incorporated in August 1997, initially capitalized in
September 1997, and commenced equipment rental and related operations in
October 1997 by acquiring the six Initial Acquired Companies. The Company's
historical financial statements included herein only cover the period from
inception through September 30, 1997, and principally reflect the initial
activities of the Company relating to the Company's organization, search for
acquisition candidates and development of the management team and
infrastructure required to support its growth strategy and manage the expanded
operations that the Company is seeking to build. Since the acquisitions of the
Initial Acquired Companies were closed subsequent to September 30, 1997 and
accounted for as purchases, the Company's historical financial statements do
not reflect the results of the acquired businesses even though such businesses
have been in existence an average of 25 years. Consequently, the Company has
no operating history relating to its business upon which an evaluation of the
Company and its prospects can be based.
 
INITIAL ACQUIRED COMPANIES NOT HISTORICALLY OPERATED AS A COMBINED BUSINESS
 
  Although the Initial Acquired Companies have been in existence an average of
25 years, the businesses of these companies have not historically been
operated as a combined business. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to integrate successfully the businesses of the Initial Acquired
Companies (or the businesses of any companies acquired in the future), to
operate them profitably on a combined basis, or to effectively manage the
combined business. Failure by the Company to successfully integrate or
effectively manage the Initial Acquired Companies could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
START-UP LOSSES
 
  During the period from August 14, 1997 (inception) through September 30,
1997, the Company had a net loss of $273,000. This loss reflected the fact
that during this period (which preceded the commencement of the Company's
equipment rental operations) the Company had no revenues but incurred costs
relating to the Company's organization, search for acquisition candidates and
development of the management team and infrastructure required to support its
growth strategy and manage the expanded operations that the Company is seeking
to build. The Company may also report a net loss for the fourth quarter of
1997, reflecting the fact that (i) the Company in the fourth quarter continued
to incur substantial expenses for the foregoing purposes and (ii) the results
of the Initial Acquired Companies will only be included in the Company's
results for a portion of the quarter. The Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company included elsewhere herein give pro forma effect to
the acquisitions of the Initial Acquired Companies and the financing thereof,
as more fully described in the Notes to such statements. On such a pro forma
basis, the Company had revenues of $51.9 million and $42.1 million during 1996
and the first nine months of 1997, respectively, and net income during such
periods of $3.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Such pro forma
results, however, are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of
operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions of the Initial
Acquired Companies occurred at the beginning of the respective periods
presented or of the results that may occur in the future. There can be no
assurance that the Company will achieve profitability in the near term, if at
all.
 
RISKS RELATING TO GROWTH STRATEGY
 
  Principal components of the Company's growth strategy include continued
expansion through an ongoing acquisition program, the opening of start-up
locations, and internal growth. However, there can be no assurance
 
                                       7

 
that the Company will successfully implement its growth strategy or that, if
implemented, such strategy will result in profitability. The Company's growth
strategy involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including:
 
  Availability of Acquisition Targets and Sites for Start-up Locations. The
Company may encounter substantial competition in its efforts to identify and
acquire appropriate acquisition candidates and sites for start-up locations,
which could have the effect of increasing prices for acquisitions or such
sites. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in identifying
appropriate acquisition candidates or sites for start-up locations or that the
Company will be able to acquire any acquisition candidate or site that it does
identify on terms that are acceptable to the Company.
 
  Need to Integrate New Operations. As the Company grows, the Company intends
to focus substantial efforts on the efficient integration of new operations,
the elimination of duplicative costs and reduction in overhead. There can be
no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in these efforts or
that these efforts may not in certain circumstances adversely affect existing
operations.
 
  Need to Recruit Additional Personnel. The Company will require additional
personnel in order to implement its growth strategy and support expanded
operations. Accordingly, the Company is in the process of recruiting
additional operating, acquisition, finance and other personnel from the
equipment rental industry and from other industries. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will succeed in recruiting the requisite
qualified personnel as and when needed.
 
  Certain Risks Related to Start-up Locations. The Company to date has not
established any start-up locations and there can be no assurance that the
Company will successfully establish any such locations in the near term or at
all. The Company expects that start-up locations may initially have a negative
impact on results of operations and margins due to several factors, including:
(i) the Company will incur significant start-up expenses in connection with
establishing each start-up location and (ii) it will generally take some time
following the commencement of operations at a start-up location before
profitability can be achieved. There can be no assurance that any start-up
location will become profitable within the first several years of operations,
if at all.
 
DEPENDENCE ON ADDITIONAL CAPITAL TO FINANCE GROWTH
 
  The Company's growth strategy will require substantial capital investment.
Capital will be required by the Company for, among other purposes, completing
acquisitions, establishing new rental locations, integrating completed
acquisitions, acquiring rental equipment and maintaining the condition of its
rental equipment. The Company intends to pay for future acquisitions using
cash, capital stock, notes and/or assumption of indebtedness. To the extent
that cash generated internally and cash available under the Credit Facility is
not sufficient to provide the capital required for such purposes and future
operations, the Company will require additional debt and/or equity financing
in order to provide for such capital. There can be no assurance, however, that
such financing will be available or, if available, will be available on terms
satisfactory to the Company. Failure by the Company to obtain sufficient
additional capital in the future could limit the Company's ability to
implement its business strategy. Future debt financings, if available, may
result in increased interest and amortization expense, increased leverage,
decreased income available to fund further acquisitions and expansion, and may
limit the Company's ability to withstand competitive pressures and render the
Company more vulnerable to economic downturns. Future equity financings may
dilute the equity interest of existing stockholders.
 
POSSIBLE UNDISCOVERED LIABILITIES OF ACQUIRED COMPANIES
 
  Although the Company performs a due diligence investigation of each business
that it acquires, there may nevertheless be liabilities of the Initial
Acquired Companies or future acquired companies that the Company fails or is
unable to discover during its due diligence investigation and for which the
Company, as a successor owner, may be responsible. The Company seeks to
minimize the impact of these liabilities by obtaining indemnities and
warranties from the seller which may be supported by deferring payment of a
portion of the purchase price. However, these indemnities and warranties, if
obtained, may not fully cover the liabilities due to their limited scope,
amount, or duration, the financial limitations of the indemnitor or warrantor,
or other reasons.
 
                                       8

 
DEPENDENCE ON MANAGEMENT
 
  The Company is highly dependent upon its senior management team. The loss of
the services of any member of senior management may have a material adverse
effect on the Company. The Company's Credit Facility provides that the failure
of certain members of the Company's current senior management to continue to
hold executive positions with the Company for a period of 30 consecutive days
constitutes an event of default under the Credit Facility unless replacement
officers satisfactory to the lenders are appointed. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Company does not presently maintain "key
man" life insurance with respect to members of senior management.
 
  The Company's rental locations are managed by regional and local managers
who have an average of 24 years of experience in the equipment rental industry
and substantial knowledge of the local markets served. These managers are
former owners/employees of the businesses acquired by the Company. The loss of
one or more of these managers may have a material adverse effect on the
Company in the event that the Company is unable to find a suitable replacement
in a timely manner.
 
  The Company's present dependence on regional and local managers is
heightened by the fact that the Company's founding senior management team,
while having substantial acquisition and operating experience in other
industries (particularly the solid waste industry), does not have experience
in the equipment rental industry.
 
NEED FOR INTEGRATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
 
  Due to the recent formation of the Company, the Company has not yet fully
implemented the type of integrated information technology systems that it will
require in order to effectively integrate, manage and optimize its operations.
Consequently, each acquired business is currently using the systems that it
had in place at the time it was acquired. The Company is currently in the
process of selecting and implementing the information technology systems
required for its existing operations. The Company estimates that it will take
approximately six months to complete this process and that the cost relating
thereto will be in the range of $500,000 to $1 million (including the costs
incurred to date, which have not been material). However, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not encounter unexpected delays and costs in
connection with implementing such systems or that such systems when installed
will function in accordance with the Company's expectations. Furthermore, the
Company expects that it will be required to upgrade and expand its information
technology systems on an ongoing basis as it expands its operations and
completes acquisitions. The Company cannot at this time quantify the
expenditures that will be required in connection with any such future upgrades
or expansions, but such expenditures may be substantial.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and competitive. The
Company's competitors include public companies or divisions of public
companies; regional competitors which operate in one or more states; small,
independent businesses with one or two rental locations; and equipment vendors
and dealers who both sell and rent equipment directly to customers. Certain of
the Company's competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than
the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will not encounter
increased competition from existing competitors or new market entrants or that
equipment manufacturers will not commence, or increase their efforts, to rent
or sell equipment directly to the Company's customers. In addition, to the
extent that competitors seek to gain or retain market share by reducing
prices, the Company may be required to lower its prices, thereby affecting
operating results. See "Business--Competition."
 
SENSITIVITY TO GENERAL ECONOMIC AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
 
  The Company believes that the equipment rental business is sensitive to
changes in economic conditions and that demand for rental equipment can be
reduced significantly by adverse weather conditions. There can be no assurance
that the Company's business and financial condition will not be adversely
affected by (i) changes in general economic conditions, including national,
regional and local changes in construction and industrial activity, (ii)
increases in interest rates that may result in a higher cost of capital to the
Company, or (iii) adverse weather conditions that may decrease construction
and industrial activity.
 
                                       9

 
QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS OF OPERATING RESULTS
 
  The Company expects that its revenues and operating results may fluctuate
from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including: seasonal rental
patterns of the Company's customers (with rental activity tending to be lower
in the winter); changes in general economic conditions in the Company's
markets; the timing of acquisitions and the opening of start-up locations
(which generally will require a period of time to become profitable) and
related costs; the effect of the integration of acquired businesses and start-
up locations; the timing of expenditures for new equipment and the disposition
of used equipment; and price changes in response to competitive factors. These
factors, among others, may result in the Company's results of operations in
some future periods not meeting expectations, which could have a material
adverse impact on the market price of the Common Stock.
 
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
 
  The Company is subject to various possible claims, including claims for
personal injury or death caused by equipment rented or sold by the Company or
motor vehicle accidents involving Company delivery and service personnel and
compensation and other employment related claims. Although each of the Initial
Acquired Companies maintains its own insurance, the Company is in the process
of acquiring insurance subject to deductibles on a company-wide basis.
However, certain types of claims such as claims for punitive damages or for
damages arising from intentional misconduct, which are often alleged in third
party lawsuits, might not be covered by the Company's insurance. There can be
no assurance that insurance will be available to the Company on economically
reasonable terms, if at all, that existing or future claims will not exceed
the level of the Company's insurance, or that the Company will have sufficient
capital available to pay any uninsured claims.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
 
  The Company uses hazardous materials, such as solvents, to clean and
maintain its rental equipment and generates and disposes of wastes such as
used motor oil, radiator fluid, solvents and batteries. In addition, the
Company currently dispenses, or may in the future dispense, petroleum products
from underground and above-ground storage tanks located at certain rental
locations. These and other activities of the Company are subject to various
federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the generation,
handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous
substances and wastes. Under such laws, an owner or lessee of real estate may
be liable for, among other things, (i) the costs of removal or remediation of
certain hazardous or toxic substances located on, in, or emanating from, such
property, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage and
substantial penalties for violations of such laws, and (ii) environmental
contamination at facilities where its waste is or has been disposed. Such laws
often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or lessee knew
of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic
substances. Although the Company investigates each business or property that
it acquires or leases and believes there are no existing material liabilities
relating to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can
be no assurance that there are no undiscovered potential liabilities relating
to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, that historic or
current operations have not resulted in undiscovered conditions that will
require investigation and/or remediation under environmental laws, or that
future uses or conditions will not result in the imposition of environmental
liability upon the Company or expose the Company to third-party actions such
as tort suits. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that changes in
environmental regulations in the future will not require the Company to make
significant capital expenditures to change methods of disposal of hazardous
materials or otherwise alter aspects of its operations. See "Business--
Environmental Regulation."
 
BROAD DISCRETION ON APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Company's business plan is general in nature and subject to change based
upon changing conditions and opportunities. As a result, the Company will have
broad discretion in applying the portion of the net proceeds from the IPO not
allocated to the repayment of outstanding indebtedness under the Credit
Facility (as well as the proceeds of any future borrowings under the Credit
Facility). The Company may use the net proceeds from the IPO for future
acquisitions. The Company at present is not party to any definitive agreements
relating to future acquisitions.
 
                                      10

 
CONCENTRATED CONTROL
 
  Immediately following completion of the IPO, the officers and directors of
the Company will own an aggregate of 13,150,714 shares of Common Stock,
representing approximately 56% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
(including 10,000,000 shares, representing approximately 43% of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock, beneficially owned by Bradley S. Jacobs, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company) and will therefore be able to
elect the entire Board of Directors of the Company and to control the
Company's management and affairs. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
  Prior to the IPO, there has been no public market for the Common Stock, and
there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop after the
IPO or, if a trading market does develop, that it will be sustained. After
completion of the IPO, the market price of the Common Stock could be subject
to significant variation due to fluctuations in the Company's operating
results, changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts, the degree of
success the Company achieves in implementing its business strategy, changes in
business or regulatory conditions affecting the Company, its customers or its
competitors, and other factors. In addition, the financial markets may
experience volatility that affects the market prices of companies in ways
unrelated to the operating performance of such companies, and such volatility
may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
  The Company has never paid any dividends on its Common Stock and has no
plans to pay dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Under
the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company is prohibited from paying
dividends on the Common Stock. See "Dividend Policy."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock (including shares issued upon
exercise of warrants or options), or the perception that such sales could
occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
  Certain provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-
laws, as well as applicable Delaware law, may have the effect of discouraging
unsolicited acquisition proposals or making it more difficult for a third
party to gain control of the Company. These provisions provide, among other
things, that (i) the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes,
with directors of each class serving for a staggered three-year period, (ii)
directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of
at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of
stock entitled to vote, (iii) stockholders may not act by written consent,
(iv) stockholder nominations and proposals may only be made if specified
advance notice requirements are complied with, (v) stockholders are precluded
from calling a special meeting of stockholders, and (vi) the Board of
Directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock
in one or more series and to fix the powers, preferences and rights of any
such series without stockholder approval. Moreover, under certain conditions,
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may prevent the Company
from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder."
See "Certain Charter and By-law Provisions."
 
                                      11

 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Resale Shares
by the Selling Security Holders. The Company may, in the future, receive
proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants referenced in this Prospectus, but
only if such warrants are exercised and then only in an amount equal to the
exercise price thereof ($10.00 per share) multiplied by the number of Warrants
exercised. Assuming all such Warrants are exercised, the aggregate net
proceeds to the Company from such exercises would be approximately $63.4
million. The Company expects to use any such proceeds for future acquisitions,
capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
 
            CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
GENERAL
 
  On December [  ] 1997, the Company commenced an initial public offering
("IPO") of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company has granted to the
underwriters for the IPO an option to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000
shares of Common Stock, exercisable within 30 days of December [ ], 1997 [date
of IPO Prospectus], to cover over-allotments, if any .
 
  Prior to the IPO, there has been no public market for the Common Stock. It
is currently estimated that the initial public offering price in the IPO will
be between $12.00 and $14.00 per share. The Common Stock has been approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "URI."
 
USE OF PROCEEDS FROM IPO
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the IPO are estimated to be $83.1
million ($95.8 million if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $13.00 per
 
                                      12

 
share (the midpoint of the estimated price range) and after deduction of the
estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses. The Company expects to
use such net proceeds (i) to repay approximately $31 million of outstanding
indebtedness under the Company's Credit Facility and (ii) for future
acquisitions, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Pending use
of the net proceeds for such purposes, the Company plans to invest the net
proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
 
  Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company may borrow on a
revolving basis up to $55 million until October 8, 2000, at which time all
outstanding loans must be paid in full. Outstanding loans under the Credit
Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company's option,
either the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) (as defined in the loan
agreement providing for the Credit Facility) applicable to each interest
period plus 1.5% to 2.5% per annum or the Alternate Reference Rate (as defined
in such loan agreement) from time to time in effect plus 0% to .25% per annum.
At November 30, 1997, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding
indebtedness was 7.5%. The proceeds from the outstanding indebtedness under
the Credit Facility have been used by the Company to fund acquisitions. The
repayment of the outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility from the
proceeds of the IPO will give the Company additional flexibility to reborrow
funds under the Credit Facility for future acquisitions, capital expenditures
and general corporate purposes. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources" for additional information regarding the Credit Facility.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company intends to retain all earnings for the foreseeable future for
use in the operation and expansion of its business and, accordingly, the
Company currently has no plans to pay dividends on its Common Stock. The
payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors
in light of conditions then existing, including the Company's earnings,
financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing
agreements, business conditions and other factors. Under the terms of the
Credit Facility, the Company is prohibited from paying dividends on its Common
Stock. In addition, under Delaware law, the Company is prohibited from paying
any dividends unless it has capital surplus or net profits available for this
purpose. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                      13

 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth (i) the capitalization of the Company as of
September 30, 1997, on an historical basis, (ii) such capitalization on a pro
forma basis giving effect to the acquisition of each of the Initial Acquired
Companies, the financing of each such acquisition, and all issuances of Common
Stock after September 30, 1997, and (iii) such pro forma capitalization as
adjusted to give effect to the sale of the 7,000,000 shares offered in the IPO
at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share (the midpoint
of the estimated range) and the application of a portion of the net proceeds
to repay indebtedness as described under "Certain Information Concerning IPO--
Use of Proceeds From IPO." This table should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto and the Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto of the Company
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 


                                                   AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                 ACTUAL   PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
                                                 -------  --------- -----------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                           
Debt:
  Credit Facility............................... $   --    $26,383   $    --
  Convertible debt..............................     --        300        300
                                                 -------   -------   --------
    Total debt..................................     --     26,683        300
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000
   shares authorized; no shares issued and
   outstanding..................................     --        --         --
  Common Stock, $.01 par value, 75,000,000
   shares authorized; 15,714,587 shares issued
   and outstanding, 16,376,156 shares issued and
   outstanding pro forma, and 23,376,156 shares
   issued and outstanding pro forma as
   adjusted(1)..................................     157       164        234
Additional paid-in capital......................  54,815    60,628    143,698
Accumulated deficit.............................    (273)     (273)      (273)
                                                 -------   -------   --------
    Total stockholders' equity..................  54,699    60,519    143,659
                                                 -------   -------   --------
Total capitalization............................ $54,699   $87,202   $143,959
                                                 =======   =======   ========

- --------
(1) Does not include (i) 6,344,058 shares issuable upon the exercise of
    outstanding Warrants, all of which are currently exercisable at an
    exercise price of $10.00 per share, (ii) 797,500 shares issuable upon the
    exercise of outstanding options which provide for exercise prices ranging
    from $10.00 to $30.00 per share, the weighted average exercise price being
    $12.49 per share, (iii) 4,202,500 shares reserved for possible future
    grants of options under the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan, and (iv)
    shares issuable upon conversion of a $300,000 convertible note which
    provides for a conversion price per share equal to 120% of the initial
    public offering price per share in the IPO. Also does not reflect
    adjustments which may change the number of shares issued as consideration
    for the acquisition of one of the Initial Acquired Companies. See
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations--Consideration Paid for Initial Acquired Companies,"
    "Management--Capital Contributions by Officers and Directors" and
    "Description of Capital Stock--Warrants, Options and Convertible Notes."
 
                                      14

 
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
                      CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following table presents (i) selected unaudited historical income
statement and balance sheet data for the Initial Acquired Companies on a
combined basis and (ii) selected historical and pro forma income statement and
balance sheet data for the Company. The historical income statement and
balance sheet data for the Company are derived from the audited Financial
Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The data
presented below with respect to the Company should be read in conjunction with
the Financial Statements and related Notes thereto and the Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto of the Company
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
  The following unaudited pro forma income statement data with respect to each
of the periods set forth below gives effect to the acquisition of each of the
Initial Acquired Companies, the financing of each such acquisition and all
issuances of Common Stock after the beginning of the period, as if all such
transactions had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. The
following unaudited pro forma balance sheet data as of September 30, 1997
gives effect to the acquisition of each of the Initial Acquired Companies, the
financing of each such acquisition, and all issuances of Common Stock after
September 30, 1997, as if all such transactions had occurred on such date. The
unaudited pro forma income statement data is not necessarily indicative of the
actual results of operations that would have occurred had the foregoing
transactions occurred at the beginning of the respective periods presented or
of the results that may occur in the future. The following unaudited pro forma
as adjusted balance sheet data gives effect to the foregoing and to completion
of the IPO at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share
(the midpoint of the estimated range) and the application of a portion of the
estimated net proceeds therefrom to repay outstanding indebtedness under the
Credit Facility. See "Capitalization" and "Certain Information Concerning
IPO--Use of Proceeds From IPO."
 


                                                     HISTORICAL                                               PRO FORMA
                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
                              COMBINED INITIAL ACQUIRED COMPANIES                  UNITED RENTALS, INC.        COMPANY
                    -------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------- ----------------------
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                      ENDED            PERIOD FROM                 NINE MONTHS
                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               SEPTEMBER 30,      AUGUST 14, 1997    YEAR ENDED    ENDED
                    -------------------------------------------  ----------------  (INCEPTION) THROUGH   DECEMBER   SEPTEMBER
                     1992     1993     1994     1995     1996     1996     1997     SEPTEMBER 30, 1997   31, 1996   30, 1997
                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------------------- ---------- -----------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                     
INCOME STATEMENT
 DATA:
Total revenues....  $30,792  $32,549  $38,179  $44,159  $51,889  $37,463  $42,095         $  --          $51,889     $42,095
Total cost of
 operations.......   22,025   22,961   24,829   28,563   34,737   25,427   28,224            --           32,540      26,885
                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------         ------         -------     -------
Gross profit......    8,767    9,588   13,350   15,596   17,152   12,036   13,871            --           19,349      15,210
Selling, general
 and
 administrative
 expense..........    7,005    7,772    9,898   11,537   12,435    7,780    9,172            348          10,853       8,634
Non-rental
 depreciation and
 amortization.....      294      300      427      502      527      408      438            --            1,336       1,034
                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------         ------         -------     -------
Operating income
 (loss)...........    1,468    1,516    3,025    3,557    4,190    3,848    4,261           (348)          7,160       5,542
Interest expense..      750      770      846    1,416    2,123    1,555    1,860            --            1,641       1,231
Other (income)
 expense..........     (353)    (336)    (412)    (306)    (412)    (285)    (407)           (75)           (412)       (482)
                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------         ------         -------     -------
Income (loss)
 before taxes.....    1,071    1,082    2,591    2,447    2,479    2,578    2,808           (273)          5,931       4,793
Pro forma income
 taxes(1).........      428      433    1,036      979      992    1,031    1,123            --            2,372       1,917
                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------         ------         -------     -------
Pro forma net
 income
 (loss)(1)........  $   643  $   649  $ 1,555  $ 1,468  $ 1,487  $ 1,547  $ 1,685         $ (273)        $ 3,559     $ 2,876
                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======         ======         =======     =======
Earnings (loss)
 per share........                                                                        $(0.02)        $  0.20     $  0.16
                                                                                          ======         =======     =======
Dividends on
 Common Stock.....                                                                           --              --          --



                                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                      HISTORICAL                               PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- -----------
                               COMBINED INITIAL ACQUIRED COMPANIES        UNITED RENTALS, INC.        COMPANY
                        ------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ---------------------
                                  AS OF DECEMBER 31,              AS OF
                        --------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER
                         1992    1993    1994    1995    1996   30, 1997           AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                        ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- ------------------------------------------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                       
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
 equivalents..........  $ 2,544 $ 2,374 $ 2,349 $ 4,193 $ 3,227  $ 4,573        $ 54,638        $   50    $ 56,807
Rental equipment,
 net..................   10,112  10,730  14,270  20,244  27,145   31,138             --         37,117      37,117
Total assets..........   19,049  20,380  25,254  37,022  43,681   50,520          54,851        93,107     149,865
Debt..................    8,660  10,104  12,608  21,267  25,959   33,102             --         26,683         300
Stockholders' equity..    8,449   9,003   9,638  10,941  12,308   11,664          54,699        60,518     143,659

- -------
(1) Certain of the Initial Acquired Companies had elected to be treated as
    Subchapter S Corporations prior to being acquired by the Company. In
    general, the income or loss of a Subchapter S Corporation is passed
    through to its owners rather than being subjected to taxes at the entity
    level. Pro forma net income or loss for the Initial Acquired Companies
    reflects a provision for income taxes as if all such companies were liable
    for federal and state income taxes as taxable corporate entities for all
    periods presented.
 
                                      15

 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and related Notes thereto, the unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Statements and related Notes thereto and the "Selected Historical
and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information" of the Company included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
INTRODUCTION
 
  The Company was organized in August 1997, initially capitalized in September
1997, and commenced rental operations in October 1997 by acquiring the six
Initial Acquired Companies. These acquisitions were all accounted for as
purchases and, accordingly, the results of operations of the Initial Acquired
Companies will be included in the Company's financial statements from the
respective dates of acquisition.
 
  The Company's historical financial statements included herein cover the
period from August 14, 1997 (inception) through September 30, 1997 and do not
reflect any rental operations (which commenced in October 1997). The Company
had a net loss during this period of $273,000 reflecting the fact that, while
the Company had no revenues during this period, the Company incurred expenses
in connection with the Company's organization, search for acquisition
candidates and development of the management team and infrastructure required
to support its growth strategy and manage the expanded operations that the
Company is seeking to build. Although the Company's results of operations for
the fourth quarter of 1997 will reflect the results of the Initial Acquired
Companies, the Company may also report a net loss for this quarter, reflecting
the fact that (i) the Company in the fourth quarter of 1997 continued to incur
substantial expenses for the foregoing purposes and (ii) the results of the
Initial Acquired Companies will only be included in the Company's results for
a portion of the fourth quarter since the acquisitions closed after the
beginning of the quarter.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Initial Acquired Companies primarily derived revenues from the following
sources: (i) equipment rental (including additional fees that may be charged
for equipment delivery, fuel, repair of rental equipment, and damage waivers),
(ii) the sale of used rental equipment, (iii) the sale of new equipment, and
(iv) the sale of related merchandise and parts. Rental revenues accounted for
68.8% and 66.4% of the Company's pro forma revenues during 1996 and the first
nine months of 1997, respectively.
 
  Cost of operations consist primarily of depreciation costs associated with
rental equipment, the cost of repairing and maintaining rental equipment, the
cost of used and new equipment sold, personnel costs, occupancy costs,
supplies, and expenses related to information systems. The Company records
rental equipment expenditures at cost and depreciates equipment using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful life (which ranges from 4 to 6
years), after giving effect to a 10% estimated salvage value.
 
  Selling, general and administrative expense includes advertising and
marketing expenses, management salaries, and clerical and administrative
overhead.
 
  Depreciation and amortization, excluding rental equipment, includes (i)
depreciation expense associated with equipment that is not offered for rent
(such as vehicles, computers and office equipment) and depreciation expense
associated with leasehold improvements and (ii) the amortization of intangible
assets. The Company's intangible assets include goodwill, which represents the
excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the estimated fair
market value of the assets acquired.
 
  The acquisition of the Initial Acquired Companies by the Company altered the
cost structure of the Initial Acquired Companies due to changes relating to
depreciation and amortization, interest expense, compensation to former owners
and lease expense for real estate. Accordingly, the Company believes that the
historical results of
 
                                      16

 
operations of the Initial Acquired Companies are not indicative of future
results and, therefore, the discussion below focuses on the pro forma results
of the Company rather than on the historical results of the Initial Acquired
Companies.
 
CONSIDERATION PAID FOR INITIAL ACQUIRED COMPANIES
 
  The aggregate consideration paid by the Company for the Initial Acquired
Companies was $57.7 million and consisted of approximately $53.6 million in
cash, 318,712 shares of Common Stock (the "Stock Consideration") and a
$300,000 convertible note. In addition, the Company agreed to pay the former
owners of one of the Initial Acquired Companies a percentage of such company's
future revenues until an aggregate of $2.8 million has been paid. Following
completion of the IPO, the Stock Consideration will be valued based upon the
average daily closing price of the Common Stock during the 60-day period
immediately following completion of the IPO. If the Stock Consideration as so
valued is not equal to $3.8 million, the Stock Consideration will be adjusted
(by the Company issuing additional shares or by the holders returning to the
Company a portion of the Stock Consideration) as required to make the Stock
Consideration as so valued equal to $3.8 million. Additionally, the Company
repaid all of the outstanding indebtedness of the Initial Acquired Companies
in the aggregate amount of $33.9 million.
 
PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements included herein with respect
to a specified period give effect to the acquisition of each of the Initial
Acquired Companies, the financing of each such acquisition, and all issuances
of Common Stock after the beginning of such period, as if all such
transactions had occurred at the beginning of the period (as more fully
described in Note 4 to the Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements). Such
pro forma financial statements, however, do not reflect (i) potential cost
savings, synergies and efficiencies that may be achieved through the
integration of the businesses and operations of the Initial Acquired
Companies, (ii) the expenses that the Company may incur as it seeks to
increase internal growth at the Initial Acquired Companies, including
expenditures required in order to expand and modernize rental equipment,
increase sales and marketing efforts, and expand and diversify the customer
segments served, and (iii) the compensation expense relating to the Company's
senior management which began accruing in September 1997. The results
reflected in such pro forma financial statements are not necessarily
indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred had
the acquisitions of the Initial Acquired Companies occurred at the beginning
of the respective periods presented or of future results.
 
  Revenues. Total revenues were $51.9 million and $42.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively. Equipment rental revenues were 68.8% and 66.4% of revenues for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and for the nine months ended September 30,
1997, respectively. The decrease in rental revenues as a percentage of total
revenues in 1997 compared with 1996 was primarily attributable to increased
sales of used rental equipment during 1997 at certain of the Initial Acquired
Companies.
 
  Gross Profit. The gross profit margin from equipment rentals was 43.7% for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and 40.9% for the nine months ended September
30, 1997. The decrease in 1997 compared with 1996 primarily reflected the fact
that rental equipment utilization (measured by rental revenues as a percentage
of average original cost of rental equipment) was lower in 1997 than in 1996
(59.9% in 1997 compared with 63.7% in 1996). The gross profit margin from
sales of equipment and merchandise and other revenues was 23.2% in 1996 and
26.7% in 1997. The increase in 1997 compared with 1996 was primarily
attributable to a change in the mix of equipment and merchandise sold.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and
administrative expense ("SG&A") was $10.9 million for the year ended December
31, 1996 and $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. SG&A
as a percentage of revenues was 20.9% for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
20.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.
 
                                      17

 
  Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization. Non-rental depreciation and
amortization was $1.3 million and $1.0 million for the year ended December 31,
1996 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, respectively. Non-
rental depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenues was 2.6% for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and 2.5% for the nine months ended September
30, 1997.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense was $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 1996 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively. Interest expense for both periods relates to borrowings made
under the Company's Credit Facility in order to fund a portion of the purchase
price of the Initial Acquired Companies.
 
  Income Taxes. Pro forma income taxes was computed for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 using an
estimated rate of 40%.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company has funded its cash requirements to date from (i) the sale of
Common Stock and Warrants to the officers and directors of the Company for
aggregate consideration of $46.8 million, (ii) other sales of Common Stock for
aggregate consideration of $9.8 million, and (iii) borrowings under the
Company's Credit Facility.
 
  The Company's Credit Facility with a group of financial institutions, for
which Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association acts as agent,
enables the Company to borrow up to $55 million on a revolving basis. The
facility terminates on October 8, 2000, at which time all outstanding
indebtedness is due. Up to $10 million of the Credit Facility is available in
the form of letters of credit. Borrowings under the Credit Facility accrue
interest, at the Company's option, at either (a) the Floating Rate (which is
equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (ii) Bank of
America's reference rate, in each case, plus a margin ranging from 0% to 0.25%
per annum) or (b) the Eurodollar Rate (which is equal to Bank of America's
reserve adjusted eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% per
annum). As of November 30, 1997, there was $31 million of outstanding
indebtedness under the Credit Facility. The Company plans to repay such
indebtedness from the net proceeds of the IPO. The Company will be able to
reborrow the amounts so repaid.
 
  The Credit Facility contains certain covenants that require the Company to,
among other things, satisfy certain financial tests relating to: (a)
maintenance of minimum net worth, (b) the ratio of debt to net worth, (c)
interest coverage ratio, (d) the ratio of funded debt to cash flow, and (e)
the ratio of senior debt to tangible assets. The Credit Facility also contains
certain covenants that restrict the Company's ability to, among other things,
(i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) permit liens to attach to its assets,
(iii) enter into operating leases requiring payments in excess of specified
amounts, (iv) declare or pay dividends or make other restricted payments with
respect to its equity securities (including the Common Stock) or subordinated
debt, (v) sell assets, (vi) make acquisitions unless certain financial
conditions are satisfied, and (vii) engage in any line of business other than
the equipment rental industry. The Credit Facility provides that the failure
by any two of Messrs. Jacobs, Milne, Nolan and Miner to continue to hold
executive positions with the Company for a period of 30 consecutive days
constitutes an event of default under the Credit Facility unless replacement
officers satisfactory to the lenders are appointed. The Credit Facility is
also subject to other customary events of default. The Credit Facility is
secured by substantially all of the assets of United Rentals, Inc. and by the
stock and assets of its subsidiaries.
 
  The Company expects that following completion of the IPO its principal
sources of cash will be borrowings under the Credit Facility, the portion of
the net proceeds of the IPO (approximately $52.1 million) that will not be
used for repayment of outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility, and
cash generated from operations. The Company estimates that such sources will
be sufficient to fund the cash required for the Company's existing operations
(not including new acquisitions or start-up locations that are not currently
under development, which may require additional financing as discussed below)
for at least 12 months following completion of the IPO.
 
                                      18

 
  The Company expects that following the IPO its principal needs for cash
relating to its operations will be to fund (i) operating activities and
working capital, (ii) the purchase of equipment on an ongoing basis to
maintain the quality and competitiveness of its existing rental equipment,
(iii) the purchase of equipment required to expand and modernize the rental
equipment at certain locations, (iv) the purchase of equipment and other items
required to maintain sufficient inventory of the new equipment and related
merchandise and parts that the Company offers for sale, and (v) the
installation of an integrated information technology system.
 
  The Company estimates that equipment expenditures for its existing locations
will be in the range of $10 million to $15 million over the next 12 months. In
addition, the Company expects that it will be required to make equipment
expenditures in connection with new acquisitions. The Company cannot quantify
at this time the amount of such equipment expenditures.
 
  Principal elements of the Company's strategy include expansion through a
disciplined acquisition program and the opening of new rental locations. The
Company expects to pay for future acquisitions using cash, capital stock,
notes and/or assumption of indebtedness. The Company expects that cash
required for future acquisitions and start-up locations will be provided by a
combination of borrowings under the Credit Facility, the unused net proceeds
of the IPO, cash generated from operations, and future debt or equity
financings. There can be no assurance that any such future debt or equity
financings will be available or, if available, will be on terms satisfactory
to the Company.
 
  The Company is in the process of developing two start-up locations. See
"Business--Start-up Locations." The Company estimates that the aggregate costs
associated with such start-up locations will be in the range of $2 million to
$4 million. The Company believes that its existing sources of cash and
borrowings under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund these costs
without additional debt or equity financings.
 
  The Company estimates that it will be required to make expenditures in the
range of $500,000 to $1 million (including the costs incurred to date, which
have not been material) in order to install the integrated information
technology systems required for its existing operations and to modify certain
information technology systems to accommodate the year 2000 and thereafter.
Furthermore, the Company expects that it will be required to upgrade and
expand its information technology systems on an ongoing basis as it expands
its operations and completes acquisitions. The Company cannot at this time
quantify the expenditures that will be required in connection with any such
future upgrades or expansions, but such expenditures may be substantial.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
 
  The Company expects that its revenues and operating results may fluctuate
from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including: seasonal rental
patterns of the Company's customers (with rental activity tending to be lower
in the winter); changes in general economic conditions in the Company's
markets; the timing of acquisitions and the opening of start-up locations and
related costs; the effect of the integration of acquired businesses and start-
up locations; the timing of expenditures for new equipment and the disposition
of used equipment; and price changes in response to competitive factors.
 
  The Company is continually involved in the investigation and evaluation of
potential acquisitions. In accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, the Company capitalizes certain direct out-of-pocket expenditures
(such as legal and accounting fees) relating to potential or pending
acquisitions. Indirect acquisition costs, such as executive salaries, general
corporate overhead, public affairs and other corporate services, are expensed
as incurred. The Company's policy is to charge against earnings any
capitalized expenditures relating to any potential or pending acquisition that
the Company determines will not be consummated. There can be no assurance that
the Company in future periods will not be required to incur a charge against
earnings in accordance with such policy, which charge, depending upon the
magnitude thereof, could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
 
  The Company will be required to incur significant start-up expenses in
connection with establishing each start-up location. Such expenses may
include, among others, pre-opening expenses related to setting up the
 
                                      19

 
facility, training employees, installing information systems and marketing.
The Company expects that in general start-up locations will initially operate
at a loss or at less than normalized profit levels. Consequently, the opening
of a start-up location may negatively impact the Company's margins until the
location achieves normalized profitability.
 
  There may be a lag between the time that the Company purchases new equipment
and begins to incur the related depreciation and interest expenses and the
time that the equipment begins to generate revenues at normalized rates. As a
result, the purchase of new equipment, particularly equipment purchased in
connection with expanding and diversifying the Company's rental equipment, may
periodically reduce margins.
 
GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND INFLATION
 
   The Company's operating results may be adversely affected by (i) changes in
general economic conditions, including national, regional and local changes in
construction and industrial activity, (ii) increases in interest rates that
may result in a higher cost of capital to the Company, or (iii) adverse
weather conditions that may decrease construction and other industrial
activity. Although the Company cannot accurately anticipate the effect of
inflation on its operations, the Company believes that inflation has not had,
and is not likely in the foreseeable future to have, a material impact on its
results of operations.
 
                                      20

 
                                   BUSINESS
 
  United Rentals was formed in September 1997 for the purpose of creating a
large, geographically diversified equipment rental company and commenced
rental operations in October 1997 by acquiring six established equipment
rental companies. The Company rents a broad array of equipment to a diverse
customer base that includes construction industry participants, industrial
companies, homeowners and other individuals. The Company also engages in
related activities such as selling used rental equipment, acting as a
distributor for certain new equipment, and selling related merchandise and
parts. The Company had pro forma revenues of $51.9 million during 1996 and
$42.1 million during the first nine months of 1997. The Company's growth
strategy is to expand through a disciplined acquisition program, the opening
of new rental locations and internal growth and to further diversify its
equipment categories and customer markets. The Company believes that as it
expands it should gain competitive advantages relative to smaller operators,
including greater purchasing power, a lower cost of capital, the ability to
provide customers with a broader range of equipment and services and with
newer and better maintained equipment, and greater flexibility to transfer
equipment among locations in response to customer demand.
 
  United Rentals currently operates 12 rental locations in five states:
California (6), Colorado (1), North Carolina (3), Texas (1), and Utah (1). The
Company's locations are managed by experienced professionals who have been
involved in the equipment rental industry an average of 24 years and have
substantial knowledge of the local markets served. These managers are former
owners/employees of the businesses acquired by the Company. The types of
rental equipment offered by the Company include a broad range of light to
heavy construction and industrial equipment (such as pumps, generators,
forklifts, backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, aerial lifts and compressors),
general tools and equipment (such as hand tools and garden and landscaping
equipment) and special event equipment (such as tents, tables and chairs). The
equipment mix varies at each of the Company's locations, with some locations
offering a general mix and some specializing in specific equipment categories.
As of November 30, 1997, the Company's rental equipment included approximately
11,800 units (excluding special event equipment), had an original purchase
price of approximately $65.7 million and had a weighted average age (based on
original purchase price) of approximately four years.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
  The Company estimates that the U.S. equipment rental industry (including
used and new equipment sales by rental companies) generates annual revenues in
excess of $20 billion. The combined equipment rental revenues of the 100
largest equipment rental companies have increased at an estimated compound
annual rate of approximately 21% from 1992 through 1996 (based upon revenues
reported by the Rental Equipment Register, an industry trade publication). The
Company believes that this growth primarily reflects the following trends:
 
  Recognition of Advantages of Renting. There is increasing recognition of the
many advantages that equipment rental may offer compared with ownership,
including the ability to: (i) avoid the large capital investment required for
equipment purchases, (ii) reduce storage and maintenance costs, (iii)
supplement owned equipment thereby increasing the range and number of jobs
that can be worked on, (iv) access a broad selection of equipment and select
the equipment best suited for each particular job, (v) obtain equipment as
needed and minimize the costs associated with idle equipment, and (vi) access
the latest technology without investing in new equipment.
 
  Increase in Contractor Rentals. There has been a fundamental shift in the
way contractors meet their equipment needs. While contractors have
historically used rental equipment on a temporary basis--to provide for peak
period capacity, meet specific job requirements or replace broken equipment--
many contractors are now also using rental equipment on an ongoing basis to
meet their long-term equipment requirements. A survey of contractors conducted
in September 1996 by Merrill Lynch & Co. found that, on average, the
percentage of contractor fleets that was rented increased from 7% in 1994 to
15% at the time of the survey.
 
  Outsourcing Trend. The general trend toward the corporate outsourcing of
non-core competencies is leading large industrial companies increasingly to
rent, rather than purchase, equipment that they require for repairing,
maintaining and upgrading their facilities.
 
                                      21

 
  The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented, consisting of a small
number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of
relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. Based
upon rental revenues reported by the Rental Equipment Register: (i) there are
only five equipment rental companies that had 1996 equipment rental revenues
in excess of $100 million (with the largest company having 1996 equipment
rental revenues of approximately $400 million), (ii) the largest 100 equipment
rental companies combined have less than a 20% share of the market based on
1996 equipment rental revenues and the Company's estimate of the size of the
market (with the largest company having a market share of less than 3%), and
(iii) there are approximately 100 equipment rental companies that had 1996
equipment rental revenues between $5 million and $100 million. In addition,
the Company estimates that there are more than 20,000 companies with annual
equipment rental revenues of less than $5 million. The Company believes that
the fragmented nature of the industry presents substantial consolidation and
growth opportunities for companies with access to capital and the ability to
implement a disciplined acquisition program. The Company also believes that
the extensive experience of its management team in acquiring and effectively
integrating acquisition targets should enable the Company to capitalize on
these opportunities.
 
STRATEGY
 
  The Company's objective is to expand its operations and build a large
geographically diversified equipment rental company in the United States and
Canada. The Company believes that as it expands it should gain competitive
advantages relative to smaller operators, including greater purchasing power,
a lower cost of capital, the ability to provide customers with a broader range
of equipment and services and with newer and better maintained equipment, and
greater flexibility to transfer equipment among locations in response to
customer demand. The Company's plan for achieving this objective includes the
following key elements:
 
  Execute Disciplined Acquisition Program. The Company intends to expand
through a disciplined acquisition program. The Company will seek to acquire
companies of varying size, including relatively large companies to serve as
platforms for regional development and smaller companies to complement
existing or anticipated locations. In evaluating potential acquisition
targets, the Company considers a number of factors, including the quality of
the target's rental equipment and management, the opportunities to improve
operating margins and increase internal growth at the target, the economic
prospects of the region in which the target is located, the potential for
additional acquisitions in the region, and the competitive landscape in the
target's markets.
 
  Improve Operating Margins. The Company plans to focus significant efforts on
improving operating margins at acquired companies through the efficient
integration of new and existing operations, the elimination of duplicative
costs, reduction in overhead, and centralization of functions such as
purchasing and information technology.
 
  Increase Internal Growth. The Company believes that a lack of capital has
constrained expansion and modernization at many small and mid-sized equipment
rental companies and that as a result there is significant potential to
increase internal growth at many acquired companies through capital
investment. The Company will seek to increase internal growth by investing in
additional and more modern equipment, using advanced information technology
systems to improve asset utilization and tracking, increasing sales and
marketing efforts, expanding and diversifying the customer segments served,
expanding the geographic areas served, and opening complementary locations.
 
  Open New Rental Locations. The Company also intends to grow by selectively
opening new rental locations in attractive markets where there are no suitable
acquisition targets available or where the cost of a start-up location would
be less than the cost of acquiring an existing business.
 
  Diversify Locations, Equipment Categories and Customers. The Company plans
to diversify geographically and to focus on a broad range of equipment catego-
ries and customer markets within the equipment rental industry. The Company
believes that this will allow it to participate in the overall growth of the
equipment rental
 
                                      22

 
industry and reduce the Company's sensitivity to fluctuations in regional eco-
nomic conditions or changes that affect particular market segments. In order
to achieve this diversification, the Company will consider expansion opportu-
nities in the United States and Canada and will pursue acquisition candidates
with varying equipment mixes and customer specializations.
 
ACQUISITIONS
 
  The Company believes that there will continue to be a large number of
attractive acquisition opportunities in the equipment rental industry due to
the highly fragmented nature of the industry, the inability of many small and
mid-sized equipment rental companies to expand and modernize due to capital
constraints, and the desire of many long-time owners for liquidity. The
Company has an experienced acquisition team, comprised of senior level
executives with extensive acquisition, operating and financial experience,
that is engaged in identifying and evaluating acquisition candidates and
executing the Company's acquisition program. The Company estimates that, since
the formation of the Company in September 1997, it has preliminarily reviewed
more than 50 potential acquisition candidates and has conducted preliminary
market studies or initiated due diligence on more than 20 of these candidates.
 
  The table below provides certain information concerning the six acquisitions
completed by the Company to date:
 


                                                         YEARS IN     1996
COMPANY                               RENTAL SITES       BUSINESS   REVENUES
- -------                          ----------------------- -------- -------------
                                                         
Mercer Equipment Company         Charlotte, NC (2 sites)     8    $14.5 million
                                 Greensboro, NC
A&A Tool Rentals and Sales,      Modesto, CA                34    $11.7 million
Inc.                             Stockton, CA
J&J Rental Services, Inc.        Houston, TX                18    $ 9.0 million
Coran Enterprises, Inc. (dba A-  Monterey, CA               32    $ 8.4 million
 1 Rents)                        Salinas, CA
 and Monterey Bay Equipment      San Jose, CA (2 sites)
 Rental, Inc.
Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc.             Denver, CO                 15    $ 5.5 million
Rent-It Center, Inc.             Salt Lake City, UT         44    $ 2.8 million

 
  The aggregate consideration paid by the Company for the Initial Acquired
Companies was $57.7 million and consisted of approximately $53.6 million in
cash, the Stock Consideration (see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Consideration Paid for Initial
Acquired Companies") and a $300,000 convertible note. In addition, the Company
agreed to pay the former owners of one of the Initial Acquired Companies a
percentage of such company's future revenues until an aggregate of $2.8
million has been paid. The Company also repaid all of the outstanding
indebtedness of the Initial Acquired Companies in the aggregate amount of
$33.9 million.
 
  The Company is continually investigating and evaluating potential
acquisitions. However, the Company at present is not party to any definitive
agreements relating to future acquisitions.
 
START-UP LOCATIONS
 
  The Company is in the process of developing two start-up locations (one in
Austin, Texas and one in Houston, Texas). These projects were commenced by one
of the Initial Acquired Companies prior to being
 
                                      23

 
acquired by the Company and are being continued by the Company. The location
in Austin, Texas is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 1998. The
Company is in the process of performing preliminary market studies relating to
the location in Houston, Texas.
 
OPERATIONS
 
  The Company currently operates 12 rental locations in five states:
California (6), Colorado (1), North Carolina (3), Texas (1), and Utah (1). The
Company offers for rent a broad array of equipment including light to heavy
construction and industrial equipment, general tools and equipment, and
special event equipment. The Company also engages in related activities such
as selling used rental equipment, acting as a distributor for certain new
equipment, and selling related merchandise and parts. The Company's customer
base is diverse and includes construction industry participants, industrial
companies, and homeowners and other individuals.
 
 EQUIPMENT RENTAL
 
  The Company offers for rent a broad array of equipment on a daily, weekly,
monthly and multi-month basis. The following are examples of the types of
equipment that the Company rents:
 
    Construction and Industrial: aerial lifts, air compressors, backhoes,
    boom lifts, bulldozers, cranes, ditching equipment, forklifts,
    generators, high reach equipment, pumps, scissor lifts, tractors.
 
    General Tools and Equipment: garden and landscaping equipment, hand
    tools, high-pressure washers, paint sprayers, power tools, roto
    tillers.
 
    Special Event: barbecue grills, china and flatware, fountains,
    lighting, staging and dance floors, tables and chairs, tents and
    canopies.
 
  As of November 30, 1997, the Company's rental equipment included
approximately 11,800 units (excluding special event equipment) and had an
original purchase price of approximately $65.7 million and a weighted average
age (based on original purchase price) of approximately four years. The
Company estimates that (based on original purchase price) construction and
industrial equipment represents approximately 95% of the Company's rental
equipment, general tools and equipment represents approximately 4%, and
special event equipment represents approximately 1%. The Company also
estimates that four categories of construction and industrial equipment
(aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts and high reach equipment) represent
approximately 18% of the Company's rental equipment.
 
  The equipment mix varies at each of the Company's locations, with some
locations offering a general mix and some specializing in specific equipment
categories. The Company expects that as it integrates the Initial Acquired
Companies it will further expand and modernize its rental equipment and expand
and diversify the customer markets served by certain locations.
 
 RELATED OPERATIONS
 
  In addition to renting equipment, the Company is engaged in a variety of
related or complementary activities.
 
  Sales of Used Equipment. The Company routinely sells used rental equipment
to adjust the size, age and composition of its rental fleet. The Company sells
such equipment through a variety of means including sales to the Company's
existing rental customers and local customer base, sales to used equipment
dealers, and sales through public auctions. The Company also participates in
trade-in programs in connection with purchasing new equipment.
 
  Sales of New Equipment. The Company, at several locations, is a distributor
for various tool and equipment manufacturers, including American Honda Motor
Co. Inc. (generators and pumps), Edco
 
                                      24

 
Manufacturing (surfacing equipment), Genie Industries, Inc. (aerial lifts),
Grove Worldwide (aerial platforms), Multiquip, Inc. (compaction equipment and
compressors), Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (power tools), Trak
International (loaders and forklifts) and Stihl, Inc. (surface preparation
equipment).
 
  Sales of Related Merchandise and Parts. The Company, at most locations,
sells a variety of merchandise that may be used in conjunction with rental
equipment (such as saw blades, fasteners, drill bits, hard hats, gloves and
other safety equipment) and also sells parts.
 
  Other. The Company at certain locations offers equipment maintenance
services to customers for equipment that is owned by the customer. This
service is primarily provided with respect to equipment purchased from the
Company.
 
 CUSTOMERS AND SALES AND MARKETING
 
  The Company on a pro forma basis rented equipment to over 32,000 customers
in 1996 and over 31,000 customers in the first nine months of 1997. No single
customer accounted for more than 2% of the Company's revenues in 1996 or more
than 1% of its revenues in the first nine months of 1997, and the Company's
top 10 customers accounted for less than 8% of the Company's revenues in 1996
and less than 6% of its revenues in the first nine months of 1997.
 
  The composition of the Company's customer base varies widely by location and
is determined by several factors, including the equipment mix and marketing
focus of the particular location and the business composition of the local
economy. The Company's customer base consists of the following general
categories: (i) construction industry participants (such as construction
companies, contractors and subcontractors), (ii) industrial companies (such as
manufacturers, chemical companies, paper mills and utilities), and (iii)
homeowners and other individuals. The Company estimates that (a) sales to
construction industry participants accounted for approximately 73% of the
Company's revenues in 1996 and the first nine months of 1997, (b) sales to
industrial companies accounted for approximately 22% of the Company's revenues
in 1996 and the first nine months of 1997, and (c) sales to homeowners and
others accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's revenues in 1996 and
the first nine months of 1997.
 
  The Company markets its products and services through a sales force
consisting of approximately 36 store-based salespeople and 38 field-based
salespeople. The Company supplements the activities of its sales force through
participation in industry trade shows and conferences, direct mailings, and
advertising in local industry publications and the yellow pages in the markets
it serves.
 
 PURCHASING
 
  The Company is in the process of centralizing the purchasing of certain
equipment items, particularly large items with a significant cost and items
that are purchased in volume. The Company believes that such centralization
will give it greater purchasing power with its suppliers and enable it to
obtain discounts.
 
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
 
  The Company will require integrated information technology systems in order
to effectively integrate, manage and optimize its operations as it continues
to execute its growth strategy. The Company is in the process of selecting and
implementing the required systems and plans to complete the process following
completion of the IPO. The Company expects that these systems will be used for
a variety of purposes, including controlling inventory, monitoring equipment
utilization, tracking customer patterns and preferences, and managing
receivables. Until these new systems are operational, each acquired business
will continue using the systems that it had in place at the time it was
acquired.
 
 
                                      25

 
COMPETITION
 
  The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and competitive. The
Company's competitors include: public companies or divisions of public
companies (such as Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, Prime Service, Inc.,
U.S. Rentals, Inc. and Rental Service Corporation); regional competitors which
operate in one or more states; small, independent businesses with one or two
rental locations; and equipment vendors and dealers who both sell and rent
equipment directly to customers. The Company believes that, in general, large
companies enjoy significant competitive advantages compared to smaller
operators, including greater purchasing power, a lower cost of capital, the
ability to provide customers with a broader range of equipment and services
and with newer and better maintained equipment, and greater flexibility to
transfer equipment among locations in response to customer demand. Certain of
the Company's competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than
the Company.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The Company currently operates 12 rental locations. These locations
generally include facilities for displaying equipment and, depending on the
location, may include separate equipment service areas and storage areas. The
Company leases the land and buildings comprising its rental locations under
leases that provide for initial terms expiring in 1999 through 2007 and for
renewal options of either five or ten years. These leases were entered into in
connection with the acquisitions of the Initial Acquired Companies and most of
the lessors are the former owners of these companies. The Company believes
that its leases reflect market terms.
 
  The Company maintains a fleet of vehicles that is used for delivery,
maintenance and sales functions. A portion of this fleet is owned and a
portion leased and, as of November 30, 1997, this fleet included 177 vehicles.
 
  The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Greenwich, Connecticut,
where it leases approximately 15,000 square feet under a lease that extends
until 2001 (subject to extension rights).
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
 
  The Company uses hazardous materials, such as solvents, to clean and
maintain its rental equipment and generates and disposes of wastes such as
used motor oil, radiator fluid, solvents and batteries. In addition, the
Company currently dispenses, or may in the future dispense, petroleum products
from underground and above-ground storage tanks located at certain rental
locations. These and other activities of the Company are subject to various
federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the generation,
handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous
substances and wastes. Under such laws, an owner or lessee of real estate may
be liable for, among other things, (i) the costs of removal or remediation of
certain hazardous or toxic substances located on, in, or emanating from, such
property, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage and
substantial penalties for violations of such laws, and (ii) environmental
contamination at facilities where its waste is or has been disposed. Such laws
often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or lessee knew
of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic
substances. Although the Company investigates each business or property that
it acquires or leases and believes there are no existing material liabilities
relating to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can
be no assurance that there are no undiscovered potential liabilities relating
to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, that historic or
current operations have not resulted in undiscovered conditions that will
require investigation and/or remediation under environmental laws, or that
future uses or conditions will not result in the imposition of environmental
liability upon the Company or expose the Company to third-party actions such
as tort suits. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that changes in
environmental regulations in the future will not require the Company to make
significant capital expenditures to change methods of disposal of hazardous
materials or otherwise alter aspects of its operations.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  At November 30, 1997, the Company employed 380 persons, including 23
corporate and regional management employees, 283 operational employees and 74
sales people. Of these employees, 119 are salaried
 
                                      26

 
personnel and 261 are hourly personnel. None of the Company's workforce is
represented by a union or a collective bargaining agreement. The Company
considers its labor relations to be good.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various litigation matters,
in most cases involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to the business
of the Company. The ultimate legal and financial liability of the Company with
respect to such pending litigation cannot be estimated with certainty but the
Company believes, based on its examination of such matters, that such ultimate
liability will not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
condition of the Company.
 
                                      27

 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
BACKGROUND
 
  The Company was founded in September 1997 by the following officers of the
Company: Bradley Jacobs, John Milne, Michael Nolan, Robert Miner, Sandra
Welwood, Joseph Kondrup, Jr., Kai Nyby and Richard Volonino. Each of these
officers was formerly a senior executive of United Waste Systems, Inc.
("United Waste") or a senior member of United Waste's acquisition team. United
Waste, a solid waste management company, was formed in 1989 and sold in August
1997 to USA Waste Services, Inc. for stock consideration valued at over $2.2
billion. United Waste executed a growth strategy that combined a disciplined
acquisition program (including over 200 acquisitions completed from January
1995 through August 1997), the integration and optimization of acquired
facilities, and internal growth. At the time it was sold, United Waste was the
sixth largest provider of integrated, non-hazardous solid waste management
services in the United States, as measured by 1996 revenues.
 
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERS
 
  The table below identifies, and provides certain information concerning, the
officers, directors and certain key managers of the Company. The Company
expects that an additional independent director will be appointed within 120
days following completion of the IPO. The Company also expects that Mr. Hicks,
the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, will be appointed a
director concurrently with the appointment of such additional independent
director.
 


    NAME                 AGE                         POSITIONS(1)(2)
    ----                 ---                         ---------------
                       
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Bradley S. Jacobs.......  41 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Wayland R. Hicks........  54 President and Chief Operating Officer
John N. Milne...........  38 Vice Chairman, Chief Acquisition Officer, Secretary and Director
Michael J. Nolan........  36 Chief Financial Officer
Robert P. Miner.........  48 Vice President, Finance
Sandra E. Welwood.......  42 Vice President, Corporate Controller
Kurtis T. Barker........  37 Regional Vice President, Operations
Daniel E. Imig..........  51 Regional Vice President, Operations
Joseph J. Kondrup,
 Jr. ...................  39 Vice President, Acquisitions
Kai E. Nyby.............  44 Vice President, Acquisitions
Richard A. Volonino.....  54 Vice President, Acquisitions
Ronald M. DeFeo.........  45 Director
Richard J. Heckmann.....  53 Director
Gerald Tsai, Jr. .......  68 Director
KEY MANAGERS
Joseph E. Bloodworth....  45 Regional Manager
Joseph E. Doran.........  57 Regional Manager
William M. Rigsbee......  41 Regional Manager

- --------
(1) Each officer and director in the table has served in the position(s)
    indicated since either September 1997 (in the case of the eight founders),
    October 1997 (in the case of Messrs. Barker, Imig, DeFeo and Heckmann),
    November 1997 (in the case of Mr. Hicks) or December 1997 (in the case of
    Mr. Tsai). The Company's officers are elected by the Board of Directors
    and, subject to the employment agreements described below, serve at the
    discretion of the Board.
(2) For information concerning the term served by directors, see "--
    Classification of Board of Directors."
 
                                      28

 
  Bradley S. Jacobs founded United Waste Systems, Inc. in 1989 and served as
its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from inception until the sale of the
company in August 1997. From 1984 to July 1989, Mr. Jacobs was Chairman and
Chief Operating Officer of Hamilton Resources Ltd., an international trading
company, and from 1979 to 1983, he was Chief Executive Officer of Amerex Oil
Associates, Inc., an oil brokerage firm that he co-founded.
 
  Wayland R. Hicks served in various senior executive positions at Xerox
Corporation where he worked for 28 years (1966-1994). His positions at Xerox
Corporation included Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations (1993-
1994), Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Customer Support
Operations (1989-1993) and Executive Vice President, Engineering and
Manufacturing--Xerox Business Products and Systems Group (1987-1989). Mr.
Hicks served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nextel
Communications Corp. (1994-1995) and as Chief Executive Officer and President
of Indigo N.V. (1996-1997). He is also a director of Maytag Corporation.
 
  John N. Milne was Vice Chairman and Chief Acquisition Officer of United
Waste Systems, Inc. from 1993 until August 1997 and held other senior
executive positions at United Waste from 1990 until 1993. Mr. Milne had
primary responsibility for implementing United Waste's acquisition program.
From September 1987 to March 1990, Mr. Milne was employed in the Corporate
Finance Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated.
 
  Michael J. Nolan served as the Chief Financial Officer of United Waste
Systems, Inc. from February 1994 until August 1997. He served in other finance
positions at United Waste from November 1991 until February 1994, including
Vice President, Finance, from October 1992 to February 1994. From 1985 until
November 1991, Mr. Nolan held various positions at the accounting firm of
Ernst & Young, including senior audit manager, and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
 
  Robert P. Miner was an executive officer of United Waste Systems, Inc. from
November 1994 until August 1997, serving first as Vice President, Finance and
then Vice President, Acquisitions. Prior to joining United Waste, he was a
research analyst with PaineWebber Incorporated (November 1988 to October 1994)
and Needham & Co. (January 1987 to October 1988) and held various managerial
positions at General Electric Environmental Services, Inc., Stauffer Chemical
Company, and OHM Corporation.
 
  Sandra E. Welwood served as Vice President, Controller of United Waste
Systems, Inc. from March 1996 until August 1997. From October 1994 to February
1996, she was Assistant Controller of OSi Specialty, Inc., and from October
1993 to September 1994, was Director of Internal Audit of the Gartner Group,
Inc. Prior to this, Ms. Welwood was a senior audit manager at Ernst & Young
from September 1987 to September 1993, and held various positions (including
senior audit manager) at KPMG Peat Marwick from January 1980 to August 1987,
and is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
  Kurtis T. Barker served as Vice President-Operations-Great Lakes Region of
United Waste Systems, Inc. from 1993 until August 1997. From 1991 to 1993, he
was a landfill operations manager at Chambers Development Company, Inc. From
1990 to 1991, Mr. Barker was a project engineer at South Dakota Disposal
Systems. From 1986 to 1990, he was a project engineer and then a general
manager at Silver King Mines, Inc.
 
  Daniel E. Imig served as President-Mid-Central Region of Waste Management,
Inc. from 1996 to August 1997. From 1978 to 1996, Mr. Imig served in a number
of operating positions at Waste Management, Inc., including District Manager
and Division President.
 
  Joseph J. Kondrup, Jr. was a senior member of United Waste's acquisition
team from March 1996 until August 1997, with responsibility for the company's
entry into and subsequent development of its Rocky Mountain Region. From July
1987 until March 1996, he was Division President of a subsidiary of Waste
Management, Inc.
 
                                      29

 
  Kai E. Nyby was a senior member of United Waste's acquisition team from 1995
until August 1997, with responsibility for acquisitions and business
development in the company's Midwest Region. From 1981 to 1995, Mr. Nyby was
the Regional Manager, Midwest Group for Waste Management, Inc. From 1973 to
1980, Mr. Nyby was General Manager, Operations for a subsidiary of Waste
Management, Inc.
 
  Richard A. Volonino was a senior executive officer of United Waste from
November 1991 until August 1997, serving as Chief Operating Officer from 1991
to 1992 and thereafter as Executive Vice President--Acquisitions. From May
1988 to October 1991, Mr. Volonino held various positions, including Vice
President, Operations, with Chambers Development Company, Inc., and from 1986
to December 1987, was District Manager at Laidlaw, Inc.
 
  Ronald M. DeFeo is the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating
Officer and a director of Terex Corporation, a leading global provider of
equipment for the manufacturing, mining and construction industries. Mr. DeFeo
joined Terex in 1992 as President of the Terex heavy equipment group and was
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1993 and Chief Executive
Officer in 1995. From 1984 to 1992, Mr. DeFeo held various management
positions at Tenneco, Inc., including Senior Vice President and Managing
Director.
 
  Richard J. Heckmann has served since 1990 as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of United States Filter Corporation, a leading global
provider of industrial and commercial water and wastewater treatment systems
and services. Mr. Heckmann is also a director of USA Waste Services, Inc. and
K2 Inc.
 
  Gerald Tsai, Jr. served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Delta Life Corporation, an insurance company, from 1993 until the sale of
the company in October 1997. Mr. Tsai was Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Board of Directors of Primerica Corporation, a diversified financial
services company, from December 1988 until April 1991, and served as Chief
Executive Officer of Primerica Corporation from April 1986 until December
1988. Mr. Tsai is currently a private investor and serves as a director of
Meditrust Corporation, Proffitt's, Inc., Rite Aid Corporation, Sequa
Corporation, Triarc Companies, Inc. and Zenith National Insurance Corp. He
also serves as a trustee of Boston University and New York University Medical
Center.
 
  Joseph E. Bloodworth founded J&J Rental Services, Inc. (and its
predecessors) and served as Chief Executive Officer and President from 1975
until October 1997 when J&J Rental Services, Inc. was acquired by United
Rentals.
 
  Joseph E. Doran served as President of A&A Tool Rentals and Sales, Inc. from
1972 until the acquisition of the company by United Rentals in October 1997.
Mr. Doran served on the Board of Directors of the California Rental
Association for 12 years and was its President from 1985 to 1986.
 
  William M. Rigsbee served as President of Mercer Equipment Company from 1990
until the acquisition of the company by United Rentals in October 1997. He has
been employed in the equipment rental industry since 1978. Mr. Rigsbee is a
former President of both the Carolina Rental Association and the North
Carolina Associated Equipment Distributors.
 
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The officers and directors of the Company listed below have made capital
contributions to the Company in the aggregate amount of $46.8 million. Such
capital contributions were made in connection with the sale to such officers
and directors of an aggregate of 13,150,714 shares of Common Stock and
6,342,858 Warrants. Each such Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one
share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share at any time
prior to September 12, 2007. Such shares and Warrants were sold at a price of
$3.50 per unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and one-half of a
Warrant (except that Messrs. Barker and Tsai
 
                                      30

 
purchased only Common Stock at a price of $3.50 per share and Messrs. Hicks,
Imig and Heckmann purchased only Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share).
The table below indicates (i) the number of shares of Common Stock and the
number of Warrants purchased by such officers and directors and (ii) the
aggregate amount paid by such officers and directors for such securities:
 


                                           SECURITIES PURCHASED(1)
                                           -------------------------
                                              COMMON
             NAME                             STOCK      WARRANTS   PURCHASE PRICE
             ----                          ------------ --------------------------
                                                           
      Bradley S. Jacobs..................    10,000,000   5,000,000  $35,000,000
      Wayland R. Hicks...................       100,000         --     1,000,000
      John N. Milne......................     1,428,571     714,286    5,000,000
      Michael J. Nolan...................       571,429     285,715    2,000,000
      Robert P. Miner....................       285,714     142,857    1,000,000
      Sandra E. Welwood..................       100,000      50,000      350,000
      Kurtis T. Barker...................       100,000         --       350,000
      Daniel E. Imig.....................         5,000         --        50,000
      Joseph J. Kondrup, Jr. ............       100,000      50,000      350,000
      Kai E. Nyby........................       100,000      50,000      350,000
      Richard A. Volonino................       100,000      50,000      350,000
      Richard J. Heckmann................        20,000         --       200,000
      Gerald Tsai, Jr. ..................       240,000         --       840,000

- --------
(1) In certain cases includes securities owned by one or more entities
    controlled by the named holder.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The term of office of
the first class (currently comprised of Mr. Tsai) will expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders following the date of this Prospectus, the term of
office of the second class (currently comprised of Mr. DeFeo and Mr. Heckmann)
will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the date of
this Prospectus, and the term of office of the third class (currently
comprised of Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Milne) will expire at the third annual meeting
of stockholders following the date of this Prospectus. At each annual meeting
of stockholders, successors to directors of the class whose term expires at
such meeting will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their
successors are elected and qualified. See "Certain Charter and By-Law
Provisions--Classified Board of Directors."
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
  The Board of Directors will establish an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee prior to the completion of the IPO. A majority of the members of
each committee will be directors who are not officers of the Company. The
responsibilities of the Audit Committee include selecting the firm of
independent accountants to be appointed to audit the Company's financial
statements and reviewing the scope and results of the audit with the
independent accountants. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee
include considering the compensation to be paid to officers, directors and key
employees of the Company and administering the Company's Stock Option Plan.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Directors do not currently receive any compensation for attendance at Board
of Directors' meetings. After completion of the IPO, each director of the
Company will be paid up to $2,500 per day for each Board of Directors' meeting
such director attends, together with an expense reimbursement. Messrs. DeFeo,
Heckmann and Tsai have each been granted options to purchase an aggregate of
20,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $15.00 per share.
 
 
                                      31

 
COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS
 
  The Company's executive officers are being compensated, and each has been
compensated since joining the Company, in accordance with the terms of the
Employment Agreements described below.
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and each of the other executive
officers of the Company during the period August 14, 1997 (inception) through
November 30, 1997.
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 


                                                                     LONG TERM
                                                                    COMPENSATION
                                                                       AWARDS
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     SECURITIES
                                                                     UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                             SALARY($)    OPTIONS(#)
- ---------------------------                             ---------   ------------
                                                              
Bradley S. Jacobs......................................  $71,385          --
Chief Executive Officer
Wayland R. Hicks.......................................   12,307(1)   450,000
President and Chief Operating Officer
John N. Milne..........................................   46,769          --
Chief Acquisition Officer
Michael J. Nolan.......................................   43,077          --
Chief Financial Officer
Robert P. Miner........................................   36,923          --
Vice President, Finance

- --------
(1)Mr. Hicks' employment with the Company commenced on November 14, 1997.
 
  The following tables summarize the options granted to date in 1997 to Mr.
Hicks, the potential value of these options at the end of the option term
(assuming certain levels of appreciation of the Company's Common Stock), and
the total number of options held by such executive officer as of November 30,
1997. None of the other executive officers of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table above has been granted options.
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1997
 


                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                         NUMBER OF    % OF TOTAL                      AT ASSUMED RATE OF STOCK
                         SECURITIES    OPTIONS   EXERCISE              APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                         UNDERLYING   GRANTED TO  PRICE                        TERM(1)
                          OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES    PER    EXPIRATION ---------------------------
NAME                      GRANTED      IN 1997    SHARE      DATE         5%            10%
- ----                     ----------   ---------- -------- ---------- ------------- -------------
                                                                 
Wayland R. Hicks........  350,000(2)     43.9%    $10.00   11/13/07  $   2,201,131 $   5,578,099
                           50,000(2)      6.3%    $15.00   11/13/07         64,447       546,871
                           50,000(2)      6.3%    $20.00   11/13/07            --        296,871

- --------
(1) These amounts are based on calculations at hypothetical 5% and 10%
    compounded annual appreciation rates prescribed by the Securities and
    Exchange Commission and, therefore, are not intended to forecast possible
    future appreciation, if any, of the Company's Common Stock price.
(2) These options are not currently vested. These options will vest one-third
    in November 1998, one-third in November 1999 and one-third in November
    2000. These options were granted pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock
    Option Plan.
 
 
                                      32

 
                     VALUE OF OPTIONS AT NOVEMBER 30, 1997
 


                           NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
                         UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT NOVEMBER 30,        MONEY OPTIONS AT NOVEMBER 30,
NAME                                    1997                                    1997
- ----                     -----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
                           EXERCISABLE         UNEXERCISABLE         EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
                         ----------------    -------------------    -------------   ------------------
                                                                        
Wayland R. Hicks........                 --                 450,000             --   $        1,050,000(1)

- --------
(1) Solely for purposes of calculating the value of the indicated options as
    of November 30, 1997, as required by the rules of the Securities and
    Exchange Commission, the Company has assigned to the Common Stock a value
    of $13.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range for the
    IPO).
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
  The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the
executive officers of the Company. Certain information with regard to these
agreements is set forth below.
 
  The agreements provide for base salary to be paid at a rate per annum as
follows: Mr. Jacobs ($290,000), Mr. Hicks ($400,000), Mr. Milne ($190,000),
Mr. Nolan ($175,000), and Mr. Miner ($150,000). The base salary payable to Mr.
Hicks is payable 50% in cash and 50% in Common Stock (valued at the average
closing sales price of the Common Stock during all trading days in the
calendar quarter preceding the quarter in which the payment is made). Shares
of Common Stock issued to Mr. Hicks are subject to certain restrictions on
transfer as described under "Principal Stockholders--Certain Agreements
Relating to Securities Held by Officers." The base salary payable to Messrs.
Jacobs and Milne is subject to possible upward annual adjustments based upon
changes in a designated cost of living index. The agreements do not provide
for mandatory bonuses. However, the agreements provide that in addition to the
compensation specifically provided for, the Company may pay such salary
increases, bonuses or incentive compensation as may be authorized by the Board
of Directors. The agreements with Messrs. Jacobs and Milne provide for each
such executive to receive an automobile allowance of at least $700 per month.
The agreement with Mr. Hicks provides for the Company to reimburse him for
certain relocation expenses up to a maximum of $100,000.
 
  The employment agreements with the following executives provide that the
term shall automatically renew so that at all times the balance of the terms
will not be less than the period hereinafter specified with respect to such
executive: Mr. Jacobs (five years), Mr. Milne (five years), Mr. Nolan (three
years) and Mr. Miner (three years). The employment agreement with Mr. Hicks
provides for a term extending until November 2000. Under each of the
agreements, the Company or the employee may at any time terminate the
agreement, with or without cause, provided that if the Company terminates the
agreement, the Company is required to make severance payments to the extent
described in the following paragraph.
 
  The employment agreements with Messrs. Jacobs and Milne provide that the
executive is entitled to severance benefits in the event that (i) his
employment agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in
the employment agreement), (ii) the executive terminates his employment
agreement for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement) or because
of a breach by the Company of its obligations thereunder, (iii) his employment
is terminated as a result of death or (iv) the Company or the executive
terminates the employment agreement due to the disability of the executive.
The severance benefits include (i) a lump sum payment equal to five times the
sum of the executive's annual base salary at the time of termination plus the
highest annual bonus paid to the executive in the preceding three years and
(ii) the continuation of the executive's benefits for such specified period.
The employment agreement with Mr. Hicks provides that the executive is
entitled to a severance payment in the amount of $1 million in the event that
his employment agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause (as
defined in the employment agreement) or he terminates his employment for Good
Reason (as defined in the employment agreement). The employment agreements
with the other officers provide that the executive is entitled to severance
benefits of up to three months' base salary in the event that the executive's
employment agreement is terminated without Cause (as defined in the employment
agreement). The employment agreements with Messrs. Jacobs and Milne provide
that if any portion of the
 
                                      33

 
required severance payment to the executive constitutes an "excess parachute
payment" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code")), the executive is entitled to receive a payment
sufficient on an after-tax basis to offset any excise tax payable by the
executive pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code. Any payment constituting an
"excess parachute payment" would not be deductible by the Company.
 
  Each of the agreements provides that all options at any time to be granted
to the executive will automatically vest upon a change of control of the
Company (as defined in the agreement).
 
  Pursuant to the employment agreement with Mr. Hicks, Mr. Hicks has been
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 450,000 shares of Common Stock.
For information concerning these options, see "--Compensation of Certain
Officers."
 
  The agreement with Mr. Hicks provides that at each annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Company, which occurs during the term of the agreement and
at which Mr. Hicks' term as director would be scheduled to expire, the Company
will nominate Mr. Hicks for re-election as a director.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  At the time the employment agreements with Messrs. Jacobs and Milne were
approved by the Board of Directors, the sole members of the Board were Messrs.
Jacobs and Milne. No compensation committee interlocks with other companies
have existed.
 
STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
  The Board of Directors has adopted the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan (the
"Stock Option Plan") which provides for the granting of options to purchase
not more than an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Some or all of
such options may be "incentive stock options" within the meaning of the Code.
All officers, directors and employees of the Company and other persons who
perform services on behalf of the Company are eligible to participate in the
Stock Option Plan. Each option granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan must
provide for an exercise price per share that is at least equal to the fair
market value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant. No options may be
granted under the Stock Option Plan after August 31, 2007. The Company has
heretofore granted under the Stock Option Plan options to purchase an
aggregate of 797,500 shares of Common Stock (including the options granted to
Mr. Hicks as described under "--Employment Agreements"). These options have a
weighted average exercise price of $12.49 per share.
 
  The Stock Option Plan provides that it is to be administered by the Board of
Directors (or by a committee appointed by the Board). The Board of Directors
(or any such committee) has full power and authority to interpret the
provisions, and supervise the administration, of the Stock Option Plan. The
Board of Directors (or any such committee) determines, subject to the
provisions of the Stock Option Plan, to whom options shall be granted, the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to an option, whether an option shall
be incentive or non-qualified, the exercise price of each option (which may
not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant), the period
during which each option may be exercised and the other terms and conditions
of each option.
 
                                      34

 
                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
GENERAL
 
  The table below and the notes thereto set forth as of the date of this
Prospectus certain information concerning the beneficial ownership (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of the Company's
Common Stock by (i) each director and executive officer of the Company and
(ii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except as
indicated in the table, no stockholder is the beneficial owner of more than 5%
of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. For purposes of the table,
each executive officer is deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares of
Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of the Warrants held by
such officer. The Warrants are currently exercisable at an exercise price of
$10.00 per share (representing an aggregate exercise price of $61.4 million,
assuming the exercise of all Warrants held by executive officers).


                         NUMBER OF SHARES OF
                            COMMON STOCK       PERCENT OF COMMON STOCK OWNED(2)
                            BENEFICIALLY       -------------------------------------
NAME                         OWNED(1)(2)          BEFORE IPO           AFTER IPO
- ----                     -------------------   ----------------     ----------------
                                                           
Bradley S. Jacobs.......     15,000,000(3)(4)                 70.2%               52.9%
Wayland R. Hicks........        100,000                          *                   *
John N. Milne...........      2,142,857(5)                    12.5%                8.9%
Michael J. Nolan........        857,144(6)                     5.1%                3.6%
Robert P. Miner.........        428,571(7)                     2.6%                1.8%
Ronald M. DeFeo.........         20,000(8)                       *                   *
Richard J. Heckmann.....         40,000(9)                       *                   *
Gerald Tsai, Jr.........        260,000(10)                    1.6%                1.1%
All executive officers
 and directors as a
 group (8 persons)......     18,848,572(11)                   83.5%               63.7%

- --------
 *Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting
    power with respect to the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a
    person or group of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any
    shares as of a given date which such person has the right to acquire
    within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the percentage
    of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above
    on a given date, any security which such person or persons has the right
    to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be outstanding for
    the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person or
    persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
    the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) In certain cases, includes securities owned by one or more entities
    controlled by the named holder.
(3) Consists of 10,000,000 outstanding shares and 5,000,000 shares issuable
    upon the exercise of currently exercisable Warrants.
(4) Mr. Jacobs has certain rights relating to the disposition of the shares
    and Warrants owned by each of the other officers of the Company (as
    described below under "--Certain Agreements Relating to Securities Held by
    Officers"). By virtue of such rights, Mr. Jacobs is deemed to share
    beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of the shares owned by the other officers
    of the Company. The shares that the table indicates are owned by Mr.
    Jacobs do not include the shares with respect to which Mr. Jacobs is
    deemed to share beneficial ownership as aforesaid. Including such shares,
    Mr. Jacobs is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 19,128,572
    shares of Common Stock (comprised of 12,785,714 outstanding shares and
    6,342,858 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Warrants).
(5) Consists of 1,428,571 outstanding shares and 714,286 shares issuable upon
    the exercise of currently exercisable Warrants.
(6) Consists of 571,429 outstanding shares and 285,715 shares issuable upon
    the exercise of currently exercisable Warrants.
(7) Consists of 285,714 outstanding shares and 142,857 shares issuable upon
    the exercise of currently exercisable Warrants.
 
                                      35

 
(8) Consists of shares issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable
    options.
(9) Consists of 20,000 outstanding shares and 20,000 shares issuable upon the
    exercise of currently exercisable options.
(10) Consists of 240,000 outstanding shares and 20,000 shares issuable upon
     exercise of outstanding options.
(11) Consists of 12,545,714 outstanding shares, 6,142,858 shares issuable upon
     the exercise of currently exercisable Warrants (which Warrants provide
     for an exercise price of $10.00 per share, representing an aggregate
     exercise price of $61.4 million assuming exercise of all the Warrants
     held by executive officers), and 60,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
     of currently exercisable options.
 
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS RELATING TO SECURITIES HELD BY OFFICERS
 
  Each officer of the Company who purchased securities of the Company prior to
the date hereof (other than Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Hicks) has entered into an
agreement with the Company and Mr. Jacobs that provides that (i) if Mr. Jacobs
sells any Common Stock or Warrants that he beneficially owns in a commercial,
non-charitable transaction, then Mr. Jacobs is required to use his best
efforts to sell (and has the right to sell subject to certain exceptions) on
behalf of such officer a pro rata portion of such officer's Common Stock or
Warrants at then prevailing prices, and (ii) except for sales that may be
required to be made as aforesaid, the officer shall not (without the prior
written consent of the Company) sell or otherwise dispose of the Common Stock
or Warrants currently owned by such officer (subject to certain exceptions for
charitable gifts). The foregoing provisions of the agreements terminate in
September or October 2002.
 
  Each officer of the Company who purchased securities of the Company prior to
the date hereof (other than Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Hicks) has also agreed pursuant
to such agreements that the Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) prior to
September 1, 2005, repurchase the securities in the event that such officer
breaches any agreement with the Company or acts adversely to the interest of
the Company and (ii) repurchase such securities without any cause (provided
that such repurchase right without cause will lapse with respect to one-third
of the securities on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of
such agreements). The amount to be paid by the Company in the event of a
repurchase will be equal to the amount originally paid by such officer for
such securities plus an amount representing a 10% annual return on such
amount. See "Management--Capital Contributions by Officers and Directors" for
information concerning the amounts paid by such officers of the Company for
the securities of the Company currently owned by them.
 
  Mr. Hicks has agreed that (i) he will not transfer any shares of Common
Stock heretofore purchased by him until November 1998 and (ii) he will not
transfer any shares of Common Stock that are hereafter issued to him as
compensation pursuant to his employment agreement for a one-year period
following the date of issuance. See "Management--Employment Agreements."
 
                                      36

 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 75,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). As of the date of
this Prospectus, there are 16,376,156 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
After giving effect to the IPO, there will be 23,376,156 shares of Common
Stock outstanding (24,426,156 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full). As of the date of this Prospectus, there are no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding or reserved for issuance.
 
  The following description of the Company's capital stock is a summary of the
material terms of such stock. The following does not purport to be complete
and is subject in all respects to applicable Delaware law and to the
provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  The holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share
held on all matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Each
stockholder may exercise such vote either in person or by proxy. Stockholders
are not entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors, which
means that, subject to such rights as may be granted to the holders of shares
of Preferred Stock, if any, the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock are able to elect all of the directors to be elected by
holders of shares of Common Stock and the holders of the remaining shares of
Common Stock will not be able to elect any director. Subject to such
preferences to which holders of shares of Preferred Stock, if any, may be
entitled, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to
receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time
by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the
event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders
of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all
assets of the Company which are legally available for distribution to
stockholders, subject to the prior rights on liquidation of creditors and to
preferences, if any, to which holders of shares of Preferred Stock, if any,
may be entitled. The holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock do not have
any preemptive, subscription, redemption or sinking fund rights. The
outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares issued in the IPO will
upon issuance and sale as contemplated hereby be, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company is authorized by its Certificate of Incorporation to issue up to
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series and containing such
rights, privileges and limitations, including dividend rights, voting rights,
conversion privileges, redemption rights, liquidation rights and/or sinking
fund rights, as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company. Preferred Stock may be issued in the future in connection with
acquisitions, financings or such other matters as the Board of Directors deems
to be appropriate. In the event that any such shares of Preferred Stock shall
be issued, a Certificate of Designation, setting forth the series of such
Preferred Stock and the relative rights, privileges and limitations with
respect thereto, is required to be filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware. The effect of having such Preferred Stock authorized is
that the Company's Board of Directors alone, within the bounds and subject to
the federal securities laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"Delaware law"), may be able to authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock,
which may adversely affect the voting and other rights of holders of Common
Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock may also have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company.
 
WARRANTS, OPTIONS AND CONVERTIBLE NOTES
 
  There are currently outstanding Warrants to purchase an aggregate of
6,344,058 shares of Common Stock. Each such Warrant provides for an exercise
price of $10.00 per share and may be exercised at any time until September 12,
2007.
 
                                      37

 
  There are currently outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 797,500
shares of Common Stock. These options provide for exercise prices ranging from
$10.00 to $30.00 per share, with the weighted average exercise price being
$12.49 per share. Of these options, options to purchase an aggregate of 60,000
shares of Common Stock are currently exercisable and options to purchase
737,500 shares of Common Stock will become exercisable in installments over
specified periods.
 
  A portion of the consideration paid by the Company for one of the Initial
Acquired Companies consisted of a $300,000 convertible note, which note is
convertible into Common Stock following completion of the IPO at a conversion
price per share equal to 120% of the initial offering price per share in the
IPO.
 
LISTING
 
  The Common Stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "URI", subject to official notice of issuance.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will serve as transfer agent and
registrar for the Common Stock.
 
                     CERTAIN CHARTER AND BY-LAW PROVISIONS
 
  The following brief description of certain provisions of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") and By-laws does not purport
to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of the
Certificate and By-laws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that the Board shall be divided into three classes
and that the number of directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as is
possible based upon the number of directors constituting the entire Board. The
Certificate effectively provides that the term of office of the first class
will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders following the date of this
Prospectus, the term of office of the second class will expire at the second
annual meeting of stockholders following the date of this Prospectus, and the
term of office of the third class will expire at the third annual meeting of
stockholders following the date of this Prospectus. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, successors to directors of the class whose term expires at such
meeting will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their
successors are elected and qualified.
 
  The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult
for stockholders to change the composition of the Board. At least two annual
meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect
a change in a majority of the Board. Such a delay may help ensure that the
Company's directors, if confronted by a third party attempting to force a
proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer or other extraordinary corporate
transaction, would have sufficient time to review the proposal as well as any
available alternatives to the proposal and to act in what they believe to be
the best interests of the stockholders. However, such classification
provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a third party from
initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to
obtain control of the Company, even though such an attempt might be beneficial
to the Company and its stockholders. The classification of the Board could
thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their
positions.
 
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; REMOVAL; FILLING VACANCIES
 
  The Certificate provides that, subject to any rights of holders of Preferred
Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number
of directors comprising the entire Board will be fixed from time to time by
action of not less than a majority of the directors then in office. If the
number of directors is at any time fixed at three or greater, then thereafter
in no event shall such number be less than three or more than nine,
 
                                      38

 
unless approved by action of not less than two-thirds of the directors then in
office. In addition, the Certificate provides that, subject to any rights of
holders of Preferred Stock, newly created directorships resulting from an
increase in the authorized number of directors or vacancies on the Board
resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal of
directors or any other cause may be filled only by the Board (and not by the
stockholders unless there are no directors in office), provided that a quorum
is then in office and present, or by a majority of the directors then in
office, if less than a quorum is then in office, or by the sole remaining
director. Accordingly, the Board could prevent any stockholder from enlarging
the Board and filling the new directorships with such stockholder's own
nominees.
 
  Under the Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, directors serving on a classified board may only be removed by
the stockholders for cause. The Certificate provides that following the
Offerings directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the
affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the
then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors ("Voting Stock"), voting together as a single class.
 
  The provisions of the Certificate governing the number of directors, their
removal and the filling of vacancies may have the effect of discouraging a
third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or
otherwise attempting to gain control of the Company, or of attempting to
change the composition or policies of the Board, even though such attempts
might be beneficial to the Company or its stockholders. These provisions of
the Certificate could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors
retain their positions.
 
LIMITATION ON SPECIAL MEETINGS; NO STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
 
  The Certificate and the By-laws provide that (subject to the rights, if any,
of holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding) (i)
only a majority of the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer will
be able to call a special meeting of stockholders; (ii) the business permitted
to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to
matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors; and (iii) following the IPO, stockholder action may be
taken only at a duly called and convened annual or special meeting of
stockholders and may not be taken by written consent. These provisions, taken
together, prevent stockholders from forcing consideration by the stockholders
of stockholder proposals over the opposition of the Board, except at an annual
meeting.
 
ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
 
  The By-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make
nominations of candidates for election as director, or to bring other business
before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the "Stockholder
Notice Procedure").
 
  The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that, subject to the rights of any
holders of Preferred Stock, only persons who are nominated by or at the
direction of the Board, any committee appointed by the Board, or by a
stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the
Company prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be
eligible for election as directors of the Company. The Stockholder Notice
Procedure provides that at an annual meeting only such business may be
conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of,
the Board, any committee appointed by the Board, or by a stockholder who has
given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company of such
stockholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting. Under the
Stockholder Notice Procedure, to be timely, notice of stockholder nominations
or proposals to be made at an annual or special meeting must be received by
the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the scheduled
date of the meeting (or, if less than 70 days' notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is given, then the 15th day following
the earlier of (i) the day such notice was mailed or (ii) the day such public
disclosure was made).
 
  Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice to the
Company proposing to nominate a person for election as director must contain
certain information about the nominating stockholder and the
 
                                      39

 
proposed nominee. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's
notice relating to the conduct of business other than the nomination of
directors must contain certain information about such business and about the
proposing stockholder. If the Chairman or other officer presiding at a meeting
determines that a person was not nominated, or other business was not brought
before the meeting, in accordance with the Stockholder Notice Procedure, such
person will not be eligible for election as a director, or such business will
not be conducted at such meeting, as the case may be.
 
  By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Stockholder
Notice Procedure affords the Board an opportunity to consider the
qualifications of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or
desirable by the Board, to inform stockholders about such qualifications. By
requiring advance notice of other proposed business, the Stockholder Notice
Procedure also provides a more orderly procedure for conducting annual
meetings of stockholders and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by
the Board, provides the Board with an opportunity to inform stockholders,
prior to such meetings, of any business proposed to be conducted at such
meetings, together with any recommendations as to the Board's position
regarding action to be taken with respect to such business, so that
stockholders can better decide whether to attend such a meeting or to grant a
proxy regarding the disposition of any such business.
 
  Although the By-laws do not give the Board any power to approve or
disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals
for action, the foregoing provisions may have the effect of precluding a
contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder
proposals and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a
solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its
own proposal, if the proper advance notice procedures are not followed,
without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be
harmful or beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO POTENTIAL CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
  The Certificate authorizes the Board and any committee of the Board to take
such action as it may determine to be reasonably necessary or desirable to
encourage any person or entity to enter into negotiations with the Board and
management regarding any transaction which may result in a change of control
of the Company, or to contest or oppose any such transaction which the Board
determines to be unfair, abusive or otherwise undesirable to the Company, its
business, assets, properties or stockholders. The Board or any such committee
is specifically authorized to adopt plans or to issue securities of the
Company including plans, rights, options, capital stock, notes, debentures or
other debt securities, which securities may be exchangeable or convertible
into cash or other securities on such terms and conditions as the Board or any
such committee determines. In addition, the Board or such committee of the
Board may provide that any holder or class of holders of such designated
securities will be treated differently than all other security holders in
respect of the terms, conditions, provisions and rights of such securities.
 
  The existence of this authority or the actions which may be taken by the
Board pursuant thereto are intended to give the Board flexibility in order to
act in the best interests of stockholders in the event of a potential change
of control transaction. Such provisions may, however, deter potential
acquirors from proposing unsolicited transactions not approved by the Board
and might enable the Board to hinder or frustrate such a transaction if
proposed.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that a director will not be personally liable to
the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware law, which
concerns unlawful payments of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. If the Delaware law is subsequently amended to permit further
limitation of the personal liability of directors, the liability of a director
of the Company will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted
by the Delaware law as so amended.
 
 
                                      40

 
AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
 
  The Certificate contains provisions requiring the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Voting Stock to amend
certain provisions of the Certificate (including the provisions discussed
above relating to the size and classification of the Board, replacement and/or
removal of directors, action by written consent, special stockholder meetings,
the authorization for the Board to take steps to encourage or oppose, as the
case may be, transactions which may result in a change of control of the
Company, and limitation of the liability of directors) or to amend any
provision of the By-laws by action of stockholders following the IPO. These
provisions make it more difficult for stockholders to make changes in the
Certificate and the By-laws, including changes designed to facilitate the
exercise of control over the Company.
 
               CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  If both (i) more than 50% of the Company's stock is owned directly,
indirectly or by application of certain attribution rules, by five or fewer
individuals (including certain tax-exempt corporations, certain trusts, and
residents and citizens of the United States or another country) at any time
during the last half of the Company's taxable year (the "PHC Ownership Test"),
and (ii) at least 60% of the Company's adjusted ordinary gross income for the
taxable year is "personal holding company income" (the "PHC Income Test"),
then the Company will be subject to United States personal holding company
tax, in addition to its regular income tax, at a current rate of 39.6% on its
"undistributed personal holding company income" for the taxable year.
 
  Personal holding company income of a corporation is the portion of the
corporation's adjusted ordinary gross income that consists of certain types of
passive income, including certain dividends, interest, annuities, rents and
royalties (in some circumstances, this is true even if the rents and royalties
are derived from the active conduct of a trade or business). The undistributed
personal holding company income of a corporation is based on its net taxable
income (which excludes, for example, income exempt from regular federal income
tax), adjusted to reflect (among other things) deductions for federal income
taxes and dividends to shareholders paid by the Company.
 
  The Company expects to satisfy the PHC Ownership Test for the taxable year
ending December 31, 1997 and, even after giving effect to the IPO, may satisfy
such test for taxable years ending thereafter. The Company does not, however,
believe that it will satisfy the PHC Income Test for the taxable year ending
December 31, 1997 and intends to manage its affairs so that it will not
satisfy the PHC Income Test for any taxable year ending thereafter.
 
                                      41

 
                           SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
 
  All of the 22,745,214 shares of Common Stock of the Company offered by this
Prospectus are being offered for the account of the Selling Security Holders.
ALL OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN LOCKUP RESTRICTIONS AS DESCRIBED BELOW. THE COMMON STOCK COVERED BY
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE SOLD PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THE
APPLICABLE LOCK-UP RESTRICTION.
 
  The shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus include (i) 16,057,444
currently outstanding shares which were sold by the Company in private
placements, (ii) 318,712 currently outstanding shares which were issued as
consideration for an acquisition, (ii) 6,344,058 authorized and unissued
shares of Common Stock that may hereafter be acquired by Selling Security
Holders pursuant to certain outstanding Warrants which were sold by the
Company in private placements and (iv) 25,000 authorized and unissued shares
of Common Stock that may hereafter be acquired by Selling Security Holders
pursuant to a convertible note (the "Convertible Note") that the Company
issued as part of the consideration for an acquisition.
 
  None of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus may be
publicly sold or transferred for a period of 180 days after December [ ], 1997
[date of prospectus for the Company's initial public offering] without the
prior written consent of Merrill Lynch on behalf of the underwriters for the
IPO, pursuant to lock-up agreements entered into in connection with the IPO.
Upon expiration of such 180-day lock-up period, approximately 3,028,873 of the
shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus will continue to be subject
to lock-up agreements with the Company that prohibit the sale or transfer of
such shares without the prior written consent of the Company. Such lock-up
agreements with the Company will lapse with respect to one-third of the shares
subject thereto on December [ ], 1998 [first anniversary of closing of initial
public offering], with respect to an additional one-third of the shares
subject thereto on December [ ], 1999 [second anniversary of closing of
initial public offering] and with respect to the balance of the shares subject
thereto on December [ ], 2000 [third anniversary of closing of initial public
offering].
 
  The Selling Security Holders are the persons identified in the table below
(and any successor or transferee of any of such persons that hereafter
acquires any of the Resale Shares, any of the Warrants or the Convertible Note
in a private placement and is identified in a Prospectus Supplement hereto).
The table below indicates with respect to each Selling Security Holder the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus that such Selling
Security Holder currently holds or may hereafter acquire upon the exercise of
Warrants or the Convertible Note. This Prospectus covers all shares of Common
Stock shown in the table below. Unless otherwise indicated by footnote
reference, all shares listed in the table are currently outstanding shares.
 


   NAME                                                   SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
   ----                                                   ----------------------
                                                       
   Alto, LLC.............................................        285,715
   Andersen & Co.........................................        100,000
   Ashwood Capital Pension Plan..........................         14,286
   BankAmerica Investment Corporation(1).................        142,857
   Kurtis Barker(2)......................................        100,000
   Joseph Bloodworth(3)(5)...............................         28,786
   Scott Breault.........................................          7,143
   Forrest Burnett, Trustee(3)...........................         25,000(4)
   Sharon Brown and Ronald Brown.........................         28,572
   May Charaf............................................         22,858
   Paul Devine...........................................          8,572
   William Dogget(3).....................................         72,867
   John Drury............................................        230,000
   Equus II Incorporated(3)..............................         95,614
   Frank Erwin(3)........................................         54,407
   Brady Garruth(3)......................................         67,038
   Virginia Geils........................................         14,286
   William Genco.........................................         71,429
   David Gray............................................         14,286

 
                                      42

 


   NAME                                                 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
   ----                                                 ----------------------
                                                     
   Greenlands Holdings, Inc............................         212,857
   Richard Heckmann(2).................................          20,000
   HEMA LLC............................................          71,429
   Timothy Hickman(5)..................................          28,572
   Wayland Hicks(2)....................................         100,000
   John Howard and Patsy Howard........................          14,286
   Daniel Imig(2)......................................           5,000
   Albert Jacobs.......................................          30,000
   Bradley Jacobs(2)...................................       8,436,800(10)
   Bradley Jacobs, LLC(8)..............................       4,938,200(11)
   Bradley Jacobs (1997) LLC(8)........................       1,625,000(12)
   Theodore Jacobs.....................................          37,143
   Michael Jesselson 12/18/80 Trust....................         138,572
   Thomas Keegan.......................................          28,572
   Jeffrey Klein.......................................          71,429
   Joseph Kondrup, Jr.(2)..............................         150,000(6)
   Joyce Miller........................................           7,143
   William Miller......................................           4,286
   John Milne(2).......................................       2,142,857(6)
   Richard Miner.......................................           2,858
   Robert Miner(2).....................................         428,571(6)
   MINORCA Limited.....................................          72,000
   Moorehead Property Company..........................         100,000
   Christopher Morley, Smith Barney Inc. IRA
    Custodian..........................................          10,714
   Jeffrey Moslow......................................          40,000
   Mark Mulston and Mary Kathleen Mulston..............           2,858
   Patricia Nadal......................................         100,000
   Robert Nardone......................................          21,429
   Lewis Nevins and Linda Nevins.......................           4,286
   Michael Nolan(2)(9).................................         857,144(9)
   Craig Nossel........................................          28,572
   Kai Nyby(2).........................................         150,000(6)
   Antonio Orellana(5).................................           2,857
   Patrick O'Shaughnessy...............................          28,572
   Patterson&Co, CoreStates Bank NA, as Custodian for
    Pilgrim Baxter Hybrid Partners I, LP...............         214,286
   Lena Perez..........................................          10,000
   Sam Cortez Pina.....................................          28,571
   Margaret-Mary Preston...............................          14,286
   Proto Investments...................................          71,429
   Mark Pytosh.........................................          71,429
   Jack Rafferty(5)....................................          40,000
   Paula Seltzer(5)....................................          32,857
   Jill Sosna and Lawrence Sosna.......................          28,572
   Spencer Stuart(7)...................................           5,000
   Marc Sulam..........................................          71,429
   Michael Sullivan....................................          28,572
   William Teichner....................................          14,286
   Gerald Tsai, Jr.(2).................................         240,000
   Donna Vella(5)......................................           8,571
   Vishnu Associates, L.P..............................          54,286

 
                                       43

 


   NAME                                                   SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
   ----                                                   ----------------------
                                                       
   Richard Volonino(2)...................................        150,000(6)
   Robert Waldele........................................         14,286
   Debra Wasser and Alan Wasser..........................          4,000
   Sandra Welwood(2).....................................        150,000(6)
   Jonathan P. Wendell...................................         71,429
   J. Bryan Williams III.................................         42,858
   Tom Wirth.............................................          1,200
   Leone Young, Smith Barney Inc. IRA Custodian,.........         10,715
   1997 Proto Family Trust...............................         71,429

- --------
 (1) The indicated Selling Security Holder is an affiliate of Bank of America
     National Trust and Savings Association, which acts as agent for the group
     of financial institutions that have provided the Company's Credit
     Facility. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 (2) The indicated Selling Security Holder is an officer and/or director of
     the Company as described under "Management."
 (3) The shares indicated as being owned by this Selling Security Holder were
     issued by the Company as consideration for an acquisition.
 (4) Represents shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Note.
 (5) The indicated Selling Security Holder is a non-officer employee of (or
     consultant to) the Company.
 (6) Two-thirds of the indicated shares represents currently outstanding
     shares and one-third represents shares issuable upon exercise of
     Warrants.
 (7) The shares indicated as being owned by this Selling Security Holder were
     issued by the Company as consideration for executive recruiting services
     rendered by such Selling Security Holder.
 (8) This entity is controlled by Bradley Jacobs, an officer and director of
     the Company.
 (9) Includes (i) 514,429 outstanding shares held by Mr. Nolan and 285,715
     shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants held by Mr. Nolan, (ii) 50,000
     shares held by Michael Nolan LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Nolan, and
     (iii) 7,000 shares held by Michael Nolan Irrevocable Education Trust, a
     trust controlled by Mr. Nolan.
(10)Represents 6,707,800 outstanding shares and 1,729,000 shares issuable upon
   exercise of Warrants.
(11) Represents 3,292,200 outstanding shares and 1,646,000 shares issuable
     upon exercise of Warrants
(12) Represents 1,625,000 shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Selling Security Holders are offering shares of Common Stock for their
own account, and not for the account of the Company.
 
  The Common Stock offered by the Selling Security Holders (the "Resale
Shares") may be sold from time to time by the Selling Security Holders
directly to purchasers or, alternatively, may be offered from time to time
through agents, brokers, dealers or underwriters, who may receive compensation
in the form of concessions or commissions from the Selling Security Holders or
purchasers of the Resale Shares (which compensation may be in excess of
customary commissions). Sales of the Resale Shares may be made in one or more
transactions through the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter
market, or in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, and such sales
may be made at the market price prevailing at the time of sale, a price
related to such prevailing market price or a negotiated price.
 
  To the extent required, the Company will use its best efforts to file during
any period in which offers or sales are being made one or more supplements to
this Prospectus to describe any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this Prospectus or any material
change to such information in the Prospectus.
 
                                      44

 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters relating to the shares of Common Stock that may be
sold pursuant to this Prospectus will be passed upon for the Company by Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York, and Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause &
Zivian LLP, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of United Rentals, Inc. at September 30, 1997 and
for the period from August 14, 1997 (Inception) to September 30, 1997, and the
financial statements of J&J Rental Services, Inc. and Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc. at
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration
Statement, and are included in reliance upon such reports given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The consolidated financial statements of A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc. and
subsidiary as of October 19, 1997, October 31, 1996, and 1995, and for the
period from November 1, 1996 to October 19, 1997 and for the years ended
October 31, 1996 and 1995, have been included herein and in the registration
statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The financial statements of MERCER Equipment Company appearing in this
Prospectus have been audited by Webster Duke & Co., independent auditors, as
set forth in their reports thereon included elsewhere herein and in the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and are included in
reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
  The combined financial statements of Coran Enterprises, Inc. (dba A-1 Rents)
and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc., appearing in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement, have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein and
in the Registration Statement, and are included in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") in Washington, D.C. a Registration Statement on Form S-1
(together with all amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement"), under
the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock that may be sold
pursuant to this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules filed therewith, certain portions of which have been omitted as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock that may be sold
pursuant to this Prospectus, reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement and to the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements
contained in this Prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete and, in each instance,
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being deemed to be
qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement,
including all exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge
at the principal office of the Commission located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Midwest Regional Office of the Commission
located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511 and at the Northeast Regional office of the Commission
located at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1204, Washington, D.C. 20549,
at prescribed rates.
 
  The Commission maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                      45

 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 


                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
                                                                        
  I. Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements of United Rentals, Inc.
     Introduction........................................................   F-3
     Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheets--September 30, 1997
      (unaudited)........................................................   F-4
     Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months
      Ended September 30, 1997 (unaudited)...............................   F-5
     Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Year Ended
      December 31, 1996 (unaudited)......................................   F-6
     Notes to Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements................   F-7
 II. Financial Statements of United Rentals, Inc.
     Report of Independent Auditors......................................   F-9
     Balance Sheet--September 30, 1997...................................  F-10
     Statement of Operations for the period from August 14, 1997
      (Inception) to September 30, 1997..................................  F-11
     Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the period from August 14,
      1997 (Inception) to September 30, 1997.............................  F-12
     Statement of Cash Flows for the period from August 14, 1997
      (Inception) to September 30, 1997..................................  F-13
     Notes to Financial Statements.......................................  F-14
 III. Financial Statements of MERCER Equipment Company
     Independent Auditor's Report........................................  F-18
     Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997
      (unaudited)........................................................  F-19
     Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the Years Ended
      December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)............................  F-20
     Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995
      and 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
      (unaudited)........................................................  F-21
     Notes to Financial Statements.......................................  F-22
 IV. Consolidated Financial Statements of A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.
  and subsidiary
     Independent Auditor's Report........................................  F-27
     Consolidated Balance Sheets--October 31, 1995 and 1996 and October
      19, 1997 and July 31, 1997 (unaudited).............................  F-28
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended October
      31, 1995 and 1996 and for the period from November 1, 1996 to
      October 19, 1997 and for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 1996 and
      1997 (unaudited)...................................................  F-29
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended
      October 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the period from November 1, 1996
      to October 19, 1997 ...............................................  F-30
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended October
      31, 1995 and 1996 and for the period from November 1, 1996 to
      October 19, 1997 and for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 1996 and
      1997 (unaudited)...................................................  F-31
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................  F-32
 V. Financial Statements of J&J Rental Services, Inc.
     Report of Independent Auditors......................................  F-39
     Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997
      (unaudited) .......................................................  F-40
     Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and
      1996, for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)
      and for the Three Months Ended September 30, 1997 (unaudited)......  F-41
     Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Partners' Capital for the
      Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the Nine
      Months Ended September 30, 1997 (unaudited)........................  F-42
     Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995
      and 1996, for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1997
      (unaudited) and for the Three Months Ended September 30, 1997
      (unaudited)........................................................  F-43
     Notes to Financial Statements.......................................  F-44

 
                                      F-1

 


                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
                                                                         
 VI. Combined Financial Statements of Coran Enterprises, Inc. dba A-1
     Rents and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc.
     Report of Independent Auditors.......................................  F-52
     Combined Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30,
      1997 (unaudited)....................................................  F-53
     Combined Statements of Earnings for the Three Years Ended December
      31, 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
      (unaudited) ........................................................  F-54
     Combined Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three Years Ended
      December 31, 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
      (unaudited) ........................................................  F-55
     Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended December
      31, 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
      (unaudited) ........................................................  F-56
     Notes to Combined Financial Statements...............................  F-57
 VII. Financial Statements of Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc.
     Report of Independent Auditors.......................................  F-59
     Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997
      (unaudited) ........................................................  F-60
     Statements of Income for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1996 and
      for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)...  F-61
     Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three Years Ended December
      31, 1996 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
      (unaudited).........................................................  F-62
     Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1996
      and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
      (unaudited).........................................................  F-63
     Notes to Financial Statements........................................  F-64

 
                                      F-2

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                  PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the
Company as of September 30, 1997 gives effect to the acquisition of each of
the Initial Acquired Companies, the financing of each such acquisition, and
all issuances of Common Stock after September 30, 1997, as if all such
transactions had occurred on such date.
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations
of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and for the year
ended December 31, 1996 gives effect to the acquisition of each of the Initial
Acquired Companies, the financing of each such acquisition, and all issuances
of Common Stock after the beginning of the period, as if all such transactions
had occurred at the beginning of the period.
 
  The pro forma consolidated financial statements are based upon certain
assumptions and estimates which are subject to change. These statements are
not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that might have
occurred, nor are they necessarily indicative of expected results in the
future.
 
  The pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Company's historical Consolidated Financial Statements
and related Notes included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                      F-3

 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                     PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 


                                    MERCER     A&A TOOL       J & J                          BRONCO
                       UNITED      EQUIPMENT  RENTALS AND     RENTAL           CORAN        HI-LIFT,    RENT-IT
                    RENTALS, INC.   COMPANY   SALES, INC. SERVICES, INC. ENTERPRISES, INC.    INC.    CENTER, INC.
                    ------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ----------------- ---------- ------------
                                                                                 
ASSETS
Cash and cash
equivalents........  $54,637,568  $   151,961 $  187,082   $ 1,757,218      $  933,705     $  296,669  $1,246,620
Accounts
receivable, net....                 2,253,040  1,324,684     1,975,944       1,012,615      1,225,550     434,687
Inventory..........                 2,430,233    906,969                                      271,903
Rental equipment,
net................                11,304,919  3,133,863    10,504,415       2,948,586      2,321,275     925,290
Property and
equipment, net.....       99,706      594,621    306,415       492,603          65,137        335,374     205,673
Intangible assets,
net................                                             84,479
Prepaid expenses
and other assets...      114,200      152,845    468,615         1,375          10,942         27,015     227,310
                     -----------  ----------- ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------  ----------
   Total Assets....  $54,851,474  $16,887,619 $6,327,628   $14,816,034      $4,970,985     $4,477,786  $3,039,580
                     ===========  =========== ==========   ===========      ==========     ==========  ==========
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQ-
UITY
Accounts payable...  $    67,701  $ 3,218,334 $  703,583   $   588,548      $  308,471     $  323,489  $   56,011
Debt...............                 9,518,922  4,352,769    14,180,795       2,075,735      2,973,516
Accrued expenses
and other
liabilities........       84,826      119,987    224,755       185,617                                     24,805
                     -----------  ----------- ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------  ----------
   Total liabili-
   ties............      152,527   12,857,243  5,281,107    14,954,960       2,384,206      3,297,005      80,816
                     -----------  ----------- ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------  ----------
Stockholders'
equity
 Common stock......      157,146      500,001    465,058         1,000         275,000         10,000     (30,713)
 Additional paid-
 in capital........   54,815,258                                                37,920        298,000      42,000
 Retained earnings
 (deficit).........     (273,457)   3,530,375    581,463      (139,926)      2,273,859        872,781   2,947,477
                     -----------  ----------- ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------  ----------
   Total stockhold-
   ers' equity.....   54,698,947    4,030,376  1,046,521      (138,926)      2,586,779      1,180,781   2,958,764
                     -----------  ----------- ----------   -----------      ----------     ----------  ----------
   Total
   liabilities and
   stock-holders'
   equity..........  $54,851,474  $16,887,619 $6,327,628   $14,816,034      $4,970,985     $4,477,786  $3,039,580
                     ===========  =========== ==========   ===========      ==========     ==========  ==========

                     PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                    ADJUSTMENTS      CONSOLIDATED
                    ---------------- -------------
                               
ASSETS
Cash and cash
equivalents........ $(61,155,823)(a) $    50,000
                       1,995,000 (b)
Accounts
receivable, net....                    8,226,520
Inventory..........      371,717 (c)   3,980,822
Rental equipment,
net................    5,979,135 (d)  37,117,483
Property and
equipment, net.....     (263,244)(d)   1,836,285
Intangible assets,
net................   40,809,439 (e)  40,893,918
Prepaid expenses
and other assets...                    1,002,302
                    ---------------- -------------
   Total Assets.... $(12,263,776)    $93,107,330
                    ================ =============
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQ-
UITY
Accounts payable...                  $ 5,266,137
Debt............... $(33,101,737)(f)  26,682,707
                      26,682,707 (g)
Accrued expenses
and other
liabilities........                      639,990
                    ---------------- -------------
   Total liabili-
   ties............   (6,419,030)     32,588,834
                    ---------------- -------------
Stockholders'
equity
 Common stock......   (1,220,346)(h)     163,762
                           3,187 (i)
                           3,429 (b)
 Additional paid-
 in capital........     (377,920)(h)  60,628,191
                       3,821,362 (i)
                       1,991,571 (b)
 Retained earnings
 (deficit).........  (10,066,029)(h)    (273,457)
                    ---------------- -------------
   Total stockhold-
   ers' equity.....   (5,844,746)     60,518,496
                    ---------------- -------------
   Total
   liabilities and
   stock-holders'
   equity.......... $(12,263,776)    $93,107,330
                    ================ =============

 
                                      F-4

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                 FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 


                                     MERCER      A&A TOOL
                        UNITED      EQUIPMENT   RENTALS AND   J & J RENTAL        CORAN          BRONCO       RENT-IT
                     RENTALS, INC.   COMPANY    SALES, INC.  SERVICES, INC. ENTERPRISES, INC. HI-LIFT, INC. CENTER, INC.
                     ------------- -----------  -----------  -------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------
                                                                                       
Revenues
 Equipment
 rentals...........                $ 6,141,024  $4,501,537     $5,998,073      $5,808,564      $3,774,997    $1,706,959
 Sales of
 equipment and
 merchandise and
 other revenue.....                  7,423,559   4,101,586        636,398         899,829         984,496       117,838
                                   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
   Total revenues..                 13,564,583   8,603,123      6,634,471       6,708,393       4,759,493     1,824,797
Cost of revenues
 Cost of equipment
 rentals,
 excluding
 depreciation......                  1,933,995   2,097,280      2,564,825       3,704,188         363,418       782,284
 Rental equipment
 depreciation......                  1,313,961   1,193,986      1,563,687       1,237,656         601,243       425,718
 Cost of sales and
 other operating
 expenses..........                  5,857,100   3,346,797        378,545         224,762         634,240
                                   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
   Total cost of
   revenues........                  9,105,056   6,638,063      4,507,057       5,166,606       1,598,901     1,208,002
                                   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Gross profit.......                  4,459,527   1,965,060      2,127,414       1,541,787       3,160,592       616,795
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses...........    $ 348,055     2,931,627   1,696,104      1,140,756         958,764       1,562,694       534,074
Non-rental
depreciation and
amortization.......                     96,600      95,171        110,203          13,868          79,608        42,554
                       ---------   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Operating income...     (348,055)    1,431,300     173,785        876,455         569,155       1,518,290        40,167
Interest expense...                    677,364     410,345        422,178         139,970         210,025
Other (income)
expense, net.......      (74,598)     (126,008)   (140,367)       (37,724)                        (67,555)      (35,878)
                       ---------   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Income (loss)
before provision
for income taxes...     (273,457)      879,944     (96,193)       492,001         429,185       1,375,820        76,045
Provision for
income taxes.......                                  6,000         98,000           5,583
                       ---------   -----------  ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Net income (loss)..    $(273,457)  $   879,944  $ (102,193)    $  394,001      $  423,602      $1,375,820    $   76,045
                       =========   ===========  ==========     ==========      ==========      ==========    ==========
Net loss per
share..............    $   (0.02)
                       =========

                      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                     ADJUSTMENTS     CONSOLIDATED
                     --------------- -------------
                               
Revenues
 Equipment
 rentals...........                  $27,931,154
 Sales of
 equipment and
 merchandise and
 other revenue.....                   14,163,706
                                     -------------
   Total revenues..                   42,094,860
Cost of revenues
 Cost of equipment
 rentals,
 excluding
 depreciation......                   11,445,990
 Rental equipment
 depreciation......  $(1,277,912)(a)   5,058,339
 Cost of sales and
 other operating
 expenses..........      (61,372)(b)  10,380,072
                     --------------- -------------
   Total cost of
   revenues........   (1,339,284)     26,884,401
                     --------------- -------------
Gross profit.......    1,339,284      15,210,459
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses...........     (816,000)(c)   8,634,186
                         278,112 (d)
Non-rental
depreciation and
amortization.......      596,644 (e)   1,034,648
                     --------------- -------------
Operating income...    1,280,528       5,541,625
Interest expense...   (1,859,882)(f)   1,230,631
                       1,230,631 (g)
Other (income)
expense, net.......                     (482,130)
                     --------------- -------------
Income (loss)
before provision
for income taxes...    1,909,779       4,793,124
Provision for
income taxes.......    1,807,666 (h)   1,917,249
                     --------------- -------------
Net income (loss)..  $   102,113     $ 2,875,875
                     =============== =============
Net loss per
share..............                  $      0.16
                                     =============

 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma consolidated
                             financial statements
 
                                      F-5

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 


                                      MERCER      A&A TOOL        J & J
                         UNITED      EQUIPMENT   RENTALS AND      RENTAL           CORAN          BRONCO       RENT-IT
                      RENTALS, INC.   COMPANY    SALES, INC.  SERVICES, INC. ENTERPRISES, INC. HI-LIFT, INC. CENTER, INC.
                      ------------- -----------  -----------  -------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------
                                                                                        
Revenues
  Equipment
   rentals..........      $         $ 7,380,137  $ 5,918,148    $7,769,716      $7,679,713      $4,313,855    $2,631,459
  Sales of equipment
   and mer-
   chandise and
   other revenue....                  7,073,763    5,787,986     1,243,297         738,330       1,216,459       136,395
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
    Total revenues..                 14,453,900   11,706,134     9,013,013       8,418,043       5,530,314     2,767,854
Cost of revenues
  Cost of equipment
   rentals,
   excluding
   depreciation ....                  2,097,805    2,542,965     3,544,040       4,254,243         699,455     1,046,785
  Rental equipment
   depreciation.....                  1,492,131    1,382,048     2,389,929       1,304,847         736,525       746,859
  Cost of sales and
   other operating
   expenses.........                  5,820,926    4,959,839       452,522         373,258         893,222
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
  Total cost of rev-
   enues............                  9,410,862    8,884,852     6,386,491       5,932,348       2,329,202     1,793,644
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Gross profit........                  5,043,038    2,821,282     2,626,522       2,485,695       3,201,112       974,210
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...........                  3,515,581    2,215,936     1,521,562       2,062,246       2,359,326       760,693
Non-rental
 depreciation and
 amortization.......                    118,787      120,757       123,971          17,202          99,669        46,237
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Operating income....                  1,408,670      484,589       980,989         406,247         742,117       167,280
Interest expense....                    813,339      401,204       478,341          96,464         334,035             0
Other (income)
 expense, net.......                   (110,340)    (171,532)      (27,523)                        (46,175)      (57,061)
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Income before
 provision for
 income taxes.......                    705,671      254,917       530,171         309,783         454,257       224,341
Provision for income
 taxes..............                          0        7,619        49,685           8,221
                          -----     -----------  -----------    ----------      ----------      ----------    ----------
Net income..........      $ --      $   705,671  $   247,298    $  480,486      $  301,562      $  454,257    $  224,341
                          =====     ===========  ===========    ==========      ==========      ==========    ==========
Earnings per share..      $ --
                          =====

                       PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                      ADJUSTMENTS     CONSOLIDATED
                      --------------- -------------
                                
Revenues
  Equipment
   rentals..........                  $35,693,028
  Sales of equipment
   and mer-
   chandise and
   other revenue....                   16,196,230
                      --------------- -------------
    Total revenues..                   51,889,258
Cost of revenues
  Cost of equipment
   rentals,
   excluding
   depreciation ....                   14,185,293
  Rental equipment
   depreciation.....  $(2,140,161)(a)   5,912,178
  Cost of sales and
   other operating
   expenses.........      (57,068)(b)  12,442,699
                      --------------- -------------
  Total cost of rev-
   enues............   (2,197,229)     32,540,170
                      --------------- -------------
Gross profit........    2,197,229      19,349,088
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...........   (2,006,912)(c)  10,853,610
                          425,178 (d)
Non-rental
 depreciation and
 amortization.......      809,179 (e)   1,335,802
                      --------------- -------------
Operating income....    2,969,784       7,159,676
Interest expense....   (2,123,383)(f)   1,640,841
                        1,640,841 (g)
Other (income)
 expense, net.......                     (412,631)
                      --------------- -------------
Income before
 provision for
 income taxes.......    3,452,326       5,931,466
Provision for income
 taxes..............    2,307,061 (h)   2,372,586
                      --------------- -------------
Net income..........  $ 1,145,265     $ 3,558,880
                      =============== =============
Earnings per share..                  $      0.20
                                      =============

 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma consolidated
                             financial statements
 
                                      F-6

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BACKGROUND
 
  United Rentals, Inc. was incorporated in August 1997, was initially
capitalized in September 1997, and commenced rental operations in October 1997
by acquiring the six Initial Acquired Companies. The Company rents a broad
array of equipment to a diverse customer base that includes construction
industry participants, industrial companies, homeowners and other individuals.
The Company also engages in related activities such as selling used rental
equipment, acting as a distributor for certain new equipment, and selling
related merchandise and parts.
 
2. HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  The historical financial data presented in these pro forma consolidated
financial statements represent the financial position and results of
operations of the Company and each of the Initial Acquired Companies as of
September 30, 1997 and for the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 1997
and December 31, 1996, respectively (except that the financial data for A&A
Tool Rental and Sales, Inc. is as of July 31, 1997 and for the nine and twelve
months ended July 31, 1997 and October 31, 1996, respectively). Such data is
derived from the respective financial statements of such companies. All such
financial statements are included elsewhere in this Prospectus (except for the
financial statements of Rent-It Centers, Inc.).
 
3. ACQUISITION OF THE INITIAL ACQUIRED COMPANIES
 
  During October 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of each of the
Initial Acquired Companies. Each of these acquisitions was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting. For purposes of these pro forma
consolidated financial statements, the consideration paid by the Company for
the acquired companies (the "Acquisition Consideration") is assumed to be an
aggregate of $58.6 million which consisted of $54.4 million of cash plus the
Stock Consideration (see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Consideration Paid for Initial Acquired
Companies") and a convertible note in the amount of $300,000, which represents
the consideration that would have been paid based upon the indebtedness and
working capital of the Initial Acquired Companies as of September 30, 1997.
The actual consideration paid was $875,000 lower due to the change in the
indebtedness and working capital of the Initial Acquired Companies subsequent
to September 30, 1997. Additionally, the Company repaid all of the outstanding
indebtedness of the Initial Acquired Companies in the aggregate amount of
$33.9 million ($33.1 million as of September 30, 1997, which is the amount
assumed for purposes of these pro forma consolidated financial statements).
 
  Based upon management's preliminary estimates, it is estimated that the
carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the Initial Acquired Companies
approximates fair value, with the exception of rental equipment and other
property and equipment and certain inventory,which required adjustments to
reflect fair market value. The following table presents the allocation of
purchase prices of each of the Initial Acquired Companies:
 


                           MERCER     A&A TOOL        J&J
                          EQUIPMENT  RENTALS AND     RENTAL           CORAN           BRONCO        RENT-IT     COMBINED
                           COMPANY   SALES, INC. SERVICES, INC. ENTERPRISES, INC. HIGH-LIFT, INC. CENTER, INC.    TOTAL
                         ----------- ----------- -------------- ----------------- --------------- ------------ -----------
                                                                                          
Purchase price.........  $15,000,603 $8,456,243   $ 4,029,577      $15,508,056      $9,239,062     $6,327,801  $58,561,342
Net assets acquired....    4,030,376  1,046,521      (138,926)       2,586,779       1,180,781      2,958,764   11,664,295
Fair value adjustments:
 Inventories...........      371,717                                                                               371,717
 Rental equipment......       21,872  2,278,088    (2,793,358)       4,729,104         663,183      1,080,246    5,979,135
 Property and
  equipment............                              (103,870)                                       (159,374)    (263,244)
                         ----------- ----------   -----------      -----------      ----------     ----------  -----------
Intangibles recog-
 nized.................  $10,576,638 $5,131,634   $ 7,065,731      $ 8,192,173      $7,395,098     $2,448,165  $40,809,439
                         =========== ==========   ===========      ===========      ==========     ==========  ===========

 
                                      F-7

 
4. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
 
  Balance sheet adjustments:
 
  a. Records the portion of the Acquisition Consideration and debt repayment
    paid from available cash on hand.
 
  b. Records the sale of all Common Stock subsequent to September 30, 1997.
 
  c. Adjusts the carrying value of inventory to fair market value.
 
  d. Adjusts the carrying value of rental equipment and other property and
     equipment to fair market value.
 
  e. Records the excess of the Acquisition Consideration over the estimated
     fair value of net assets acquired.
 
  f. Records the repayment of all outstanding indebtedness of the Initial
     Acquired Companies.
 
  g. Records the portion of the Acquisition Consideration and debt repayment
     funded by borrowing under the Company's Credit Facility and through the
     issuance of a $300,000 convertible note.
 
  h. Records the elimination of the stockholders' equity of the Initial
     Acquired Companies.
 
  i. Records the portion of the Acquisition Consideration paid in the form of
     Common Stock.
 
  Statement of operations adjustments:
 
  a. Adjusts the depreciation of rental equipment and other property and
    equipment based upon adjusted carrying values utilizing the following
    lives (subject to a 10% salvage value with regards to rental equipment):
 

                                                                   
       Rental equipment.............................................. 4-6 years
       Other property and equipment.................................. 3-15 years

 
  b. Adjusts the method of accounting for inventory at one of the Initial
    Acquired Companies from the LIFO method to the FIFO method.
  c. Adjusts the compensation to former owners and executives of the Initial
    Acquired Companies to current levels of compensation.
  d. Adjusts the lease expense for real estate utilized by the Initial
    Acquired Companies to current lease agreements.
  e. Records the amortization of the excess of cost over net assets acquired
    attributable to the acquisitions of the Initial Acquired Companies using
    an estimated life of 40 years.
  f. Eliminates interest expense related to outstanding indebtedness of the
    Initial Acquired Companies which was repaid by the Company.
  g. Records interest expense relating to the portion of the Acquisition
    Consideration funded through borrowing under the Company's Credit
    Facility using a rate per annum of 7.5%.
  h. Records a provision for income taxes at an estimated rate of 40%.
 
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
  Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income by the weighted
average outstanding during the period. The weighted average outstanding shares
during the period is calculated as follows:
 

                                                                  
      Shares outstanding at September 30, 1997...................... 15,714,587
      Shares sold subsequent to September 30, 1997..................    342,857
      Shares issued for acquisitions................................    318,712
      Common stock equivalents (based on an assumed initial public
       offering
       price of $13.00 per share)...................................  1,463,736
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     17,839,892
                                                                     ==========

 
                                      F-8

 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
United Rentals, Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of United Rentals, Inc. as of
September 30, 1997 and the related statements of operations, stockholders'
equity and cash flows from August 14, 1997 (Inception) to September 30, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of United
Rentals, Inc. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of United Rentals, Inc. at
September 30, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows from
August 14, 1997 (Inception) to September 30, 1997, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
October 8, 1997, except for
 Note 7, as to which the
 date is October 28, 1997
 
 
                                      F-9

 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 

                                                                
                              ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents......................................... $54,637,568
Prepaid expenses and other assets.................................     114,200
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
 $1,542...........................................................      99,706
                                                                   -----------
                                                                   $54,851,474
                                                                   ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable.................................................. $    67,701
Accrued expenses and other liabilities............................      84,826
                                                                   -----------
    Total liabilities.............................................     152,527
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock--$.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no
   shares issued and outstanding..................................         --
  Common stock--$.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized,
   15,714,587 shares issued and outstanding.......................     157,146
  Additional paid-in capital......................................  54,815,258
  Accumulated deficit.............................................    (273,457)
                                                                   -----------
    Total stockholders' equity....................................  54,698,947
                                                                   -----------
                                                                   $54,851,474
                                                                   ===========

 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-10

 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
               AUGUST 14, 1997 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 

                                                                  
General and administrative expenses................................. $ 348,055
                                                                     ---------
  Loss from operations..............................................  (348,055)
Interest income.....................................................    74,598
                                                                     ---------
  Loss before provision for income taxes............................  (273,457)
Provision for income taxes..........................................       --
                                                                     ---------
  Net loss.......................................................... $(273,457)
                                                                     =========
Net loss per share.................................................. $   (0.02)
                                                                     =========

 
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-11

 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
               AUGUST 14, 1997 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 


                                       COMMON STOCK
                                    ------------------- ADDITIONAL
                                      NUMBER              PAID-IN   ACCUMULATED
                                    OF SHARES   AMOUNT    CAPITAL     DEFICIT
                                    ---------- -------- ----------- -----------
                                                        
Balance, August 14, 1997 (Incep-
 tion).............................        --  $    --  $       --   $     --
  Issuance of common stock and war-
   rants........................... 15,714,587  157,146  54,815,258
  Net loss.........................                                   (273,457)
                                    ---------- -------- -----------  ---------
Balance, September 30, 1997........ 15,714,587 $157,146 $54,815,258  $(273,457)
                                    ========== ======== ===========  =========

 
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-12

 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
               AUGUST 14, 1997 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 

                                                               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss......................................................... $  (273,457)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
 activities:
  Depreciation...................................................       1,542
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Prepaid expenses and other assets............................    (114,200)
    Accounts payable and other liabilities.......................     152,527
                                                                  -----------
      Net cash used in operating activities......................    (233,588)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment..............................    (101,248)
                                                                  -----------
      Net cash used in investing activities......................    (101,248)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of
 issuance costs..................................................  54,972,404
                                                                  -----------
      Net cash provided by financing activities..................  54,972,404
                                                                  -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents........................  54,637,568
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.................         --
                                                                  -----------
      Cash and cash equivalents at end of period................. $54,637,568
                                                                  ===========

 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-13

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  United Rentals, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, was
incorporated in August 1997. Upon the completion of the acquisitions discussed
further in Note 7, the Company primarily will operate as an equipment rental
company. The Company will also engage in related activities such as selling
used rental equipment, acting as a distributor for certain new equipment and
selling related merchandise and parts. The nature of the Company's business
will be such that short-term obligations are typically met by cash flow
generated from long-term assets. Consequently, consistent with industry
practice, the accompanying balance sheet is presented on an unclassified
basis.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Cash Equivalents
 
  The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three
months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
 Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their
estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The range of useful
lives estimated by management for property and equipment is five to seven
years.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the
differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are
expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to amounts considered by
management to be more likely than not of realization in future periods.
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
  Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments. The
Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial
institutions.
 
                                     F-14

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
 Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
  In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
128, Earnings Per Share ("SFAS 128"), which is required to be adopted on
December 31, 1997. At that time, the Company will be required to change the
method currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior
periods. Under the new requirements for calculating earnings per share, basic
earnings per share will exclude the dilutive effect of the Company's stock
options and warrants. Implementation of SFAS 128 is expected to result in no
change to the Company's net loss per share included herein.
 
 Stock-Based Compensation
 
  The Company accounts for its stock based compensation arrangements under the
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."
Since stock options will be granted by the Company with exercise prices at or
greater than the fair value of the shares at the date of grant, no
compensation expense will be recognized.
 
 Computation of Net Loss Per Share
 
  Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average
number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding
during the period. Common Stock issued for consideration below $13.00 per
share (the "Assumed IPO price per share"), the mid-point of the range of the
estimated offering price per share, and stock options and warrants granted
with exercise prices below the Assumed IPO price per share during the twelve
months preceding the date of the initial filing of the registration statement
are included in the calculation of common equivalent shares at the Assumed IPO
price per share. The number of shares used in calculating net loss per share
was 17,178,323 for the period from August 14, 1997 to September 30, 1997.
 
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  A summary of property and equipment is as follows:
 

                                                                    
   Furniture, fixtures and office equipment........................... $101,248
   Less accumulated depreciation......................................    1,542
                                                                       --------
   Property and equipment, net........................................ $ 99,706
                                                                       ========

 
4. INCOME TAXES
 
  A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes and the amount computed
by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to loss before
provision for income taxes is as follows:
 

                                                                   
   Computed tax benefit at statutory tax rate........................ $  92,976
   Increase in tax benefit:
     Tax-exempt interest income......................................     9,409
     Change in valuation allowance...................................  (102,385)
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      $     --
                                                                      =========

 
                                     F-15

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The components of deferred income tax assets are as follows:
 

                                                                   
   Net operating loss carryforward................................... $ 102,385
   Valuation allowance...............................................  (102,385)
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      $     --
                                                                      =========

 
5. CAPITAL STOCK
 
  During September, the Company issued an aggregate of 12,685,714 shares of
Common Stock and 6,342,858 warrants to certain officers of the Company for an
aggregate amount of $44.4 million. In addition, the Company, in a private
placement sold an aggregate of 3,028,873 shares of common stock for an
aggregate amount of $10.6 million.
 
  At September 30, 1997 there are 6,342,858 shares of Common Stock reserved
for the exercise of warrants and 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
the future issuance of options pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Option
Plan.
 
  As of September 30, 1997 there are outstanding warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 6,342,858 shares of Common Stock. Each warrant provides for an
exercise price of $10.00 per share and may be exercised at any time until
September 12, 2007.
 
  The Board of Directors has adopted the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan (the
"Stock Option Plan") which provides for the granting of options to purchase
not more than an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock. All officers,
employees and others who render services to the Company are eligible to
participate in the Stock Option Plan. Each option granted pursuant to the
Stock Option Plan must provide for an exercise price per share that is at
least equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the date of
grant. No options may be granted under the Stock Option Plan after August 21,
2007.
 
  The exercise price of each option, the period during which each option may
be exercised and the other terms and conditions of each option are determined
by the Board of Directors (or by a committee appointed by the Board). No
options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted during
the period from August 14, 1997 to September 30, 1997.
 
 
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 Operating Leases
 
The Company leases office space and certain office equipment under operating
leases. The office lease requires the Company to pay maintenance, insurance,
taxes and certain other expenses in addition to the stated rentals. Future
minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, for noncancellable
operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more are as
follows at September 30, 1997:
 

                                                                  
   1997 (after September 30, 1997).................................. $  100,032
   1998.............................................................    400,128
   1999.............................................................    400,128
   2000.............................................................    400,128
   2001.............................................................    329,634
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $1,630,050
                                                                     ==========

 
 
                                     F-16

 
                             UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
  During October 1997, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Bank
of America ("Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility provides for a $55
million, three year collateralized revolving credit facility due October 2000.
Outstanding loans under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) (as defined in the credit
agreement providing for the Credit Facility) applicable to each interest
period plus 1.5% to 2.5% per annum or the Alternate Reference Rate (as defined
in the credit agreement providing for the Credit Facility) from time to time
in effect plus 0% to .25% per annum. The Credit Facility also allows the
Company to obtain up to $10 million in letters of credit. The aggregate amount
the Company is permitted to borrow under the Credit Facility is reduced by the
aggregate face amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued thereunder.
On October 28, 1997, the outstanding balance was $35 million.
 
  Subsequent to September 30, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of
six equipment rental companies (the "Acquisitions") and the aggregate
consideration paid by the Company for the Acquisitions was $57.7 million and
consisted of approximately $53.6 million in cash, 318,712 shares of Common
Stock (which stock consideration is subject to an adjustment) and a $300,000
convertible note. In addition, the Company agreed to pay the former owners of
one of the Initial Acquired Companies a percentage of such company's future
revenues until an aggregate of $2.8 million has been paid. These acquisitions
were accounted for as purchases.
 
                                     F-17

 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
 
MERCER Equipment Company:
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of MERCER Equipment Company
as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of income and
retained earnings and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of MERCER Equipment Company
as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ Webster, Duke & Co. PA
 
Charlotte, North Carolina
January 31, 1997
 
                                     F-18

 
                            MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 


                                               DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          ----------------------- -------------
                                             1995        1996         1997
                                          ----------- ----------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
                 ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash................................... $   454,697 $   276,639  $   151,961
  Accounts receivable (less allowance for
   doubtful accounts: 1995-$150,000,
   1996-$182,425, 1997-$303,128).........   1,420,681   1,819,581    2,253,040
  Inventory (Notes 2, 5 and 8)...........   2,092,086   2,417,425    2,430,233
  Miscellaneous receivables..............      12,539      16,604       18,661
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Total current assets.................   3,980,003   4,530,249    4,853,895
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
RENTAL EQUIPMENT (Notes 2, 5, 8, 9, 10
 and 15):
  Rental equipment.......................  10,480,865  14,030,584   15,617,619
  Less accumulated depreciation..........   2,642,313   3,717,218    4,312,700
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Rental equipment, net................   7,838,552  10,313,366   11,304,919
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
OTHER PROPERTY (Notes 2, 8 and 11):
  Other property.........................     686,504   1,003,079    1,084,329
  Less accumulated depreciation..........     292,279     395,658      489,708
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Other property, net..................     394,225     607,421      594,621
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
OTHER ASSETS (Note 13):
  Other assets...........................      47,800      68,639       66,089
  Notes receivable-officers..............      45,872      69,980       68,095
  Due from stockholders..................     247,729
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Total other assets...................     341,401     138,619      134,184
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    TOTAL................................ $12,554,181 $15,589,655  $16,887,619
                                          =========== ===========  ===========
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Line of credit (Note 4)................         --          --           --
  Note payable-Bank (Note 4)............. $   465,200 $   494,245  $   454,245
  Short-term equipment notes (Note 5)....     387,729     189,528          --
  Notes payable-individuals (Notes 6 and
   13)...................................     638,500     609,000      631,000
  Current portion of long-term debt......   1,541,716   2,253,562    2,903,457
  Current portion of capital leases......     153,189     167,445       82,081
  Accounts payable.......................   1,602,437   2,161,340    3,218,334
  Accrued expenses.......................     116,032     140,361      119,987
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Total current liabilities............   4,904,803   6,015,481    7,409,104
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
LONG-TERM DEBT (Non-current Portion):
  Revolving credit note (Note 7).........   1,000,000   2,430,000    2,328,000
  Notes payable to bank (Note 8).........   2,230,000   1,513,000      735,250
  Notes payable on rental equipment (Note
   9)....................................   1,503,672   2,195,238    2,078,374
  Capital leases on rental equipment
   (Note 10).............................     283,718     119,183      194,857
  Notes payable for fixed assets (Note
   11)...................................      86,116     138,543      111,658
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Total long-term debt.................   5,103,506   6,395,964    5,448,139
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock (Notes 2 and 12)..........     500,001     500,001      500,001
  Retained earnings (Note 8).............   2,045,871   2,678,209    3,530,375
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity...........   2,545,872   3,178,210    4,030,376
                                          ----------- -----------  -----------
    TOTAL................................ $12,554,181 $15,589,655  $16,887,619
                                          =========== ===========  ===========

 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-19

 
                            MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                   STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
 


                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             SEPTEMBER 30,
                          ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                             1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                           
REVENUE:
  Sales of new
   equipment............  $1,559,244  $2,479,358  $3,415,523  $2,488,974  $3,384,882
  Sales of supplies and
   parts................   1,184,997   1,558,273   2,067,403   1,515,337   1,873,232
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total goods sold....   2,744,241   4,037,631   5,482,926   4,004,311   5,258,114
  Sales of rental
   equipment............     662,029     872,621   1,102,621     853,921   1,718,513
  Rental revenues.......   3,798,468   4,950,614   7,380,137   5,236,985   6,141,024
  Service department
   revenues.............     327,693     357,039     488,216     365,170     446,932
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues......   7,532,431  10,217,905  14,453,900  10,460,387  13,564,583
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
DIRECT COSTS OF REVENUE:
  Cost of goods sold....   2,290,853   3,171,168   4,469,790   3,261,212   4,227,967
  Cost of rental
   equipment sold, net..     386,191     530,102     702,254     497,767   1,009,277
  Rental department
   expenses (including
   depreciation of
   $771,385; 1,035,352,
   $1,492,131,
   $1,129,746 and
   $1,313,961)..........   1,591,109   2,226,420   3,589,936   2,610,640   3,247,956
  Service department
   expenses.............     417,370     460,382     648,882     453,499     619,856
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total direct costs
     of revenue.........   4,685,523   6,388,072   9,410,862   6,823,118   9,105,056
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
GROSS MARGIN............   2,846,908   3,829,833   5,043,038   3,637,269   4,459,527
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Sales expenses........     515,600     752,722   1,386,812     915,554   1,196,596
  Administrative and
   general expenses.....   1,284,011   1,930,124   2,247,556   1,541,180   1,831,631
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total operating
     expenses...........   1,799,611   2,682,846   3,634,368   2,456,734   3,028,227
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
MARGIN FROM OPERATIONS..   1,047,297   1,146,987   1,408,670   1,180,535   1,431,300
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Miscellaneous income..      66,707      78,258     110,340      82,256     126,008
  Interest expense......    (261,659)   (486,976)   (813,339)   (610,316)   (677,364)
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total other income
     (expense)..........    (194,952)   (408,718)   (702,999)   (528,060)   (551,356)
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
NET INCOME..............     852,345     738,269     705,671     652,475     879,944
BEGINNING RETAINED
 EARNINGS...............     865,258   1,450,936   2,045,871   2,045,871   2,678,209
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total...............   1,717,603   2,189,205   2,751,542   2,698,346   3,558,153
LESS DIVIDENDS PAID.....     266,667     143,334      73,333      73,333      27,778
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
ENDING RETAINED
 EARNINGS...............  $1,450,936  $2,045,871  $2,678,209  $2,625,013  $3,530,375
                          ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-20

 
                            MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 


                                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              SEPTEMBER 30,
                         -------------------------------------  ----------------------
                            1994         1995         1996         1996        1997
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
                                                             
CASH FLOWS FROM
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income...........  $   852,345  $   738,269  $   705,671  $  652,475  $  879,944
  Adjustments to
   reconcile net income
   to net cash provided
   by operating
   activities:
    Depreciation and
     amortization......      845,938    1,117,783    1,610,918   1,207,471   1,410,561
    Cost of rental
     equipment sold,
     net...............      386,191      530,102      702,254     497,767   1,009,277
    Cost of other
     property sold,
     net...............                                 14,800
    Changes in assets
     and liabilities:
      Accounts
       receivable,
       net.............     (206,728)    (418,132)    (398,900)   (788,482)   (433,459)
      Inventory........     (307,833)    (900,532)    (325,339)   (353,624)    (12,808)
      Miscellaneous
       receivables.....       (1,563)      (5,437)      (4,065)      9,139      (2,057)
      Other assets.....                   (16,000)     (24,239)      8,000         --
      Accounts
       payable.........      511,659      651,668      558,903     191,904   1,056,994
      Accrued
       expenses........       50,841       29,098       24,329     (30,996)    (20,374)
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
        Net cash
         provided by
         operating
         activities....    2,130,850    1,726,819    2,864,332   1,393,654   3,888,078
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS (TO)
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of rental
   equipment...........   (1,961,168)  (2,466,039)  (2,001,083) (1,319,580) (1,873,646)
  Purchase of other
   property............      (93,189)    (131,695)    (171,319)   (128,347)    (81,250)
  Increase in other
   asset...............      (14,400)      (1,650)
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
        Net cash (to)
         investing
         activities....   (2,068,757)  (2,599,384)  (2,172,402) (1,447,927) (1,954,896)
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM (TO)
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Repayments of notes
   receivable--
   officers............        1,864        2,264        3,019       3,019       1,885
  Repayments by
   stockholders........                                220,602     187,881
  Loans to
   stockholders........                  (247,729)
  Repayments under line
   of credit...........     (115,867)    (125,000)                             (40,000)
  Borrowings under line
   of credit...........                                            175,000         --
  Repayments of short-
   term equipment
   notes...............                  (130,301)    (618,854)   (488,708)   (189,528)
  Repayments of notes
   payable--
   individuals.........                                (52,500)    (31,500)
  Repayments of long-
   term debt...........     (591,016)  (1,051,070)  (1,950,688)   (971,523) (1,901,668)
  Repayments of capital
   leases..............                   (22,009)    (150,279)    (45,595)   (132,771)
  Net borrowings under
   note payable--bank..                   465,200       29,045         --          --
  Borrowings under
   revolving credit
   note................                 1,000,000    1,700,000   1,200,000     210,000
  Proceeds from bank
   loans...............      800,000    1,120,588
  Proceeds from notes
   payable
   individuals.........       53,000      305,000       23,000                  22,000
  Dividends paid.......     (266,667)   (143,334 )     (73,333)    (73,333)    (27,778)
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
        Net cash from
         (to) financing
         activities....     (118,686)   1,173,609     (869,988)    (44,759) (2,057,860)
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
 IN CASH...............      (56,593)     301,044     (178,058)    (99,032)   (124,678)
BEGINNING CASH
 BALANCE...............      210,246      153,653      454,697     454,697     276,639
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
ENDING CASH BALANCE....  $   153,653  $   454,697  $   276,639  $  355,665  $  151,961
                         ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ==========

 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                      F-21

 
                           MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 (THE INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND
      FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
  Organization--MERCER Equipment Company (MERCER) is a North Carolina
corporation. For income tax purposes, it has elected treatment under
Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 
  Business--MERCER sells, rents, and repairs construction equipment, primarily
to contractors, industry, utilities, and municipalities. MERCER operates two
branches in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and one branch in Greensboro,
North Carolina.
 
2. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
  Basis of Accounting--MERCER prepares its financial statements on the accrual
basis of accounting.
 
  Interim Financial Statements--The accompanying balance sheet at September
30, 1997 and the statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for
the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 are unaudited and
have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements
included herein. In the opinion of management, such unaudited financial
statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information
set forth therein, which consist solely of normal recurring adjustments. The
results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative
of results for the full year.
 
  Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Inventory--Inventory consists of new equipment and merchandise for resale
and of parts for resale or repair of equipment.
 
  MERCER records inventory using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost
assumptions. MERCER maintains separate LIFO pools for new equipment,
merchandise, and parts; and uses government indices to determine the cost of
LIFO layers.
 
  At December 31, 1995, 1996 and September 30, 1997, the difference between
LIFO and first-in, first-out cost was $253,278, $310,346 and $371,717
respectively.
 
  Rental Equipment--MERCER records rental equipment at cost and depreciates
that cost using the straight-line method over 60 months (50 months for rental
equipment purchased after December 31, 1995). MERCER estimates the salvage
value on rental equipment to be 28% (50% for rental equipment purchased after
December 31, 1995). (See Note 15).
 
  Other Property--MERCER records other property at cost and depreciates that
cost using the straight-line method over lives of 5 or 7 years.
 
  Notes Receivable--Officers--At December 31, 1996, the notes receivable from
officers are due in monthly payments of $600, including principal and
interest, for 15 years. At December 31, 1995, the notes receivable from
officers were due in quarterly installments of $1,264, including principal and
interest, for 14 years.
 
  Common Stock--MERCER has two classes of common stock: Class A common stock
which has voting rights and Class B common stock which has no voting rights.
The preferences, limitations, and relative rights of classes are the same
except the nonvoting stock has no voting rights other than in those cases in
which nonvoting stock is expressly granted voting rights under North Carolina
law.
 
                                     F-22

 
                           MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  At December 31, 1995, 1996 and September 30, 1997, the number of shares
authorized and outstanding of each class of stock was as follows:
 


                                                          AUTHORIZED OUTSTANDING
                                                          ---------- -----------
                                                               
   Class A, voting.......................................   25,000      16,667
   Class B, nonvoting....................................  175,000     150,000

 
  Rental Revenue--MERCER generally rents equipment under short-term agreements
of one month or less and accounts for these agreements as operating leases.
 
  Lease Expense--MERCER leases its facilities and certain delivery vehicles
under leases classified as operating leases. MERCER leases certain rental
equipment and new equipment inventory under leases classified as capital
leases.
 
  Income Taxes--MERCER has elected taxation under Subchapter S of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and its stockholders report the taxable income or loss of
the company on their individual income tax returns. For income tax purposes,
MERCER generally uses accelerated depreciation methods (without salvage value)
and deducts bad debts as they are written off.
 
  Statement of Cash Flows--MERCER considers all instruments with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. MERCER paid interest expense and
purchase various assets through incurrence of notes payable as follows:
 


                                                              NINE MONTHS
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31      ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                            1994      1995       1996       1996       1997
                          -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                     
Interest paid............ $254,843 $  464,090 $  807,169 $  610,316 $  677,364
Debt incurred to pur-
 chase:
  Inventory..............             357,306     88,509
  Rental equipment.......  853,820  2,300,291  2,530,234  2,121,875  1,441,145
  Fixed assets...........             142,174    163,756    110,468

 
3. PURCHASE OF BUSINESS
 
  On September 29, 1995, MERCER acquired the branch retail operations of
Builders Equipment & Tool Co., Inc. (BETCO) in a transaction accounted for as
a purchase. The accompanying financial statements include the results of the
Greensboro operation from that date. MERCER purchased substantially all of the
resale and rental inventory and the fixed assets at the branch. The purchase
price was $600,000 (see Note 9). There were no intangible assets purchased nor
are there any contingent payments or commitments.
 
4. NOTE PAYABLE--BANK
 
  At December 31, 1995, MERCER had a note payable to a bank that was due May
31, 1996. The note provided for monthly payment of interest at the bank's
prime rate plus 1/2%. The original amount of the note was $500,000.
 
  At December 31, 1996, MERCER had a note payable to a bank that is due May
31, 1997. The note provides for monthly payment of interest at the bank's
prime rate plus 1/2%. The original amount of the note was $500,000.
 
  At September 30, 1997, MERCER had a note payable to a bank that is due
October 15, 1997. The note provides for monthly payments of interest at the
bank's prime rate plus 1/2%. The original amount of the note was $500,000.
 
5. SHORT-TERM EQUIPMENT NOTES
 
  MERCER has purchased rental equipment and inventory with short-term (less
than 12 months) notes payable with a nominal interest charge. At December 31,
1996, rental equipment and inventory with a cost of $434,972 and $135,522,
respectively, is pledged as collateral. At September 30, 1997, rental
equipment with a cost of $47,873 is pledged as collateral.
 
                                     F-23

 
                           MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
6. NOTES PAYABLE--INDIVIDUALS
 
  Notes payable--individuals provide for quarterly interest payments at the
Wall Street prime rate plus one percent and allows MERCER to delay payment of
principal for up to one year and a day after request. At December 31, 1995,
1996 and September 30, 1997, $181,500, $178,000 and $190,000, respectively, of
this amount was due stockholders.
 
7. REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES
 
  MERCER has a $3,000,000 revolving credit note with a bank. At December 31,
1996 MERCER had termed the revolver's outstanding balance and will repay the
principal over 36 months beginning in June 1997. The repayment provides for
monthly payment of $45,000 principal plus interest at the bank's prime rate
plus 1/4%. The annual amount of principal payment due are 1997--$315,000;
1998--$540,000; and 1999--$1,845,000. At December 31, 1995 and during 1996,
only interest payments were due on the note (see Note 9 for collateral).
 
8. NOTES PAYABLE TO BANK
 
  MERCER's note payable to bank consisted of the following:
 


                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                            --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1995       1996        1997
                                            ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
  Bank note--8.25%, principal of $49,750
   plus interest paid monthly thru November
   1998; balance of $635,750 due December
   1998.................................... $2,377,000 $1,780,000  $1,332,250
  Bank note--interest at prime plus 1/2%,
   principal of $10,000 plus interest paid
   monthly thru August 1998; $250,000 due
   September 30, 1998......................    570,000    450,000     360,000
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
  Total....................................  2,947,000  2,230,000   1,692,250
  Less current portion.....................    717,000    717,000     957,000
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
  Noncurrent portion....................... $2,230,000 $1,513,000  $  735,250
                                            ========== ==========  ==========

 
  All accounts receivable and inventory and rental equipment, unless otherwise
encumbered, are given as security for the notes payable to bank. The annual
amounts of principal due as of December 31, 1996, for the next five years are
as follows: 1997--$717,000 and 1998--$1,513,000.
 
  The loan agreement with the bank provides for maintenance of certain
absolute and ratio amounts relating to working capital, net worth, cash flow
coverage, and debt/equity and limits amounts that can be paid in dividends. At
December 31, 1996, MERCER had obtained a waiver on the cash flow coverage
ratio.
 
9. NOTES PAYABLE ON RENTAL EQUIPMENT
 
  MERCER finances purchases of rental equipment and inventory through various
arrangements with vendors, their related finance entities, and other lenders.
These notes provide for monthly payments of either a fixed principal plus
interest or a level payment of principal and interest.
 
  These note have terms of 36 to 60 months and generally provide for
accelerated repayment if the underlying equipment is sold. At December 31,
1995, 1996 and September 30, 1997, the weighted interest rates were 10.1%,
8.6% and 8.6%, respectively.
 
  At December 31, 1996, $480,801 of floor plan notes, which have not yet begun
to require payments of principal or interest, are included in notes payable on
rental equipment. The financial statements assume their conversion upon
expiration of the floor plan period.
 
  At December 31, 1996, rental equipment and inventory of $4,637,033 and
$88,509, respectively, were collateral for all of the above notes. At
September 30, 1997 rental equipment of $5,629,278 was collateral for all of
the above notes.
 
                                     F-24

 
                           MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The annual amounts of principal due as of December 31, 1996 for the next
five years are as follows: 1997--$1,188,144; 1998--$968,559; 1999--$621,294;
2000--$432,223; and 2001--$143,162.
 
10. CAPITAL LEASES
 
  MERCER leases certain rental equipment and inventory under leases accounted
for as capital leases. The following is an analysis of the leased property:
 


                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                 ----------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1995     1996       1997
                                                 -------- -------- -------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
   Inventory.................................... $221,783      --    $ 41,000
                                                 ======== ========   ========
   Rental equipment............................. $233,116 $408,081   $408,081
   Less accumulated amortization................   24,425   78,561    152,016
                                                 -------- --------   --------
     Net........................................ $208,691 $329,520   $256,065
                                                 ======== ========   ========

  The following is a schedule by years of future lease payments under capital
leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of
December 31, 1996:

                                                                    
   Year ended December 31, 1997....................................... $185,580
     1998.............................................................   59,517
     1999.............................................................   56,291
     2000.............................................................   26,717
                                                                       --------
   Net minimum lease payments.........................................  328,105
   Less amount representing interest..................................   41,477
                                                                       --------
   Present value of net minimus lease payments........................  286,628
   Less current portion...............................................  167,445
                                                                       --------
   Long-term portion.................................................. $119,183
                                                                       ========

 
11. NOTES PAYABLE ON FIXED ASSETS
 
  The notes payable on fixed assets provide for monthly payment of principal
and interest at rates from 9.0% to 10.8%. At December 31, 1996 and September
30, 1997, related assets with a cost of $287,430 are collateral for the notes.
 
  The annual amounts of principal due for the next five years is as follows:
1997--$78,418; 1998--$67,163; 1999--$45,715; 2000--$19,826 and 2001--$5,840.
 
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  As of December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997, MERCER's cash balance had
$100,000 of FDIC insurance and is at one bank.
 
  As of December 31, 1996, MERCER leased all of its facilities from a limited
liability company (LLC) whose members own 72% of MERCER's outstanding stock.
The leases provide for initial terms of five to seven years; two of the leases
provide for annual cost of living increases and have renewal options of five
years. MERCER is also responsible for the property taxes, insurance, and
repairs (see Note 13). Minimum rentals due are as follows: 1997--$336,000;
1998--$336,000; 1999--$325,000; 2000--$204,000; and 2001-- $132,000. MERCER
has also guaranteed debt of $2,260,316 and $2,324,667 at December 31, 1996 and
September 30, 1997, respectively, that the LLC has borrowed against the
buildings.
 
                                     F-25

 
                           MERCER EQUIPMENT COMPANY
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  MERCER has a stock repurchase agreement with two stockholders, each owning
30,000 shares of the outstanding Class B common stock. Among other provisions,
the stock repurchase agreement allows MERCER first refusal on a sale of such
shares at no less than the book value per share of the stock. At December 31,
1996 and September 30, 1997, the minimum purchase price under this plan was
$1,121,950 and $1,450,935, respectively.
 
  MERCER has a salary continuation agreement with the same two stockholders.
MERCER has agreed to pay these stockholders' beneficiaries an amount equal to
twice the prior year's wages. This amount is payable over 24 months, and at
December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997, the potential obligation under the
salary continuation plan was $672,672.
 
13. RELATED PARTIES
 
  At December 31, 1995, 1996 and September 30, 1997, other assets includes
rental deposits of $16,000, $42,889 and $42,889, respectively, with the LLC
described in Note 12. For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, MERCER paid building
rentals to the LLC of $96,000, $149,500, $278,000, $191,000 and $252,000,
respectively.
 
  For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, MERCER paid interest of $12,409, $17,808,
$15,672, $11,754 and $12,000, respectively to stockholders on the notes
payable--individuals.
 
  At December 31, 1995, the due from stockholders represented amounts paid to
enable the stockholders to make estimated income tax payments. The amount in
excess of the actual tax liability was repaid to MERCER.
 
14. PROFIT-SHARING PLAN
 
  MERCER has adopted a profit-sharing plan that covers substantially all
employees and provides for discretionary employer and voluntary employee
contributions. In 1994, 1995, and 1996, no profit-sharing contribution was
made. In 1994, 1995, and 1996, MERCER made matching payments of $17,558,
$21,969, and $14,777, respectively under Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986. There were no matching contributions made in either the
nine month period ended September 30, 1996 or 1997.
 
15. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATE
 
  In 1996 MERCER changed the depreciable life and estimated salvage value of
its rental equipment purchased after December 31, 1995 from 60 months to 50
months and from 28% to 50%. The effect of these changes in estimated life and
salvage value was to decrease depreciation on rental equipment by $58,859.
 
                                     F-26

 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of A&A Tool
Rentals & Sales, Inc. and subsidiary as of October 31, 1995 and 1996 and
October 19, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended October 31, 1995 and
1996, and the period from November 1, 1996 to October 19, 1997. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of A&A Tool
Rentals & Sales, Inc. and subsidiary as of October 31, 1995 and 1996 and
October 19, 1997 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the years ended October 31, 1995 and 1996, and the period from November 1,
1996 to October 19, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Sacramento, California
November 20, 1997
 
                                     F-27

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 


                                       OCTOBER 31,
                                  --------------------- OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
                                     1995       1996       1997        1997
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
             ASSETS
Cash............................  $  336,304 $  308,331 $  108,327  $  187,082
Trade accounts receivable, less
 allowance for doubtful accounts
 of $85,000 at October 31, 1995,
 $80,000 at October 31, 1996 and
 at October 19, 1997, and
 $94,608 at July 31, 1997
 (notes 2 and 3)................   1,360,476  1,416,142  1,415,775   1,324,684
Merchandise inventory...........     750,556    847,035    862,200     906,969
Rental equipment, primarily
 machinery, at cost, net of
 accumulated depreciation and
 amortization of $5,388,046 at
 October 31, 1995, $5,909,751 at
 October 31, 1996, $6,822,441 at
 October 19, 1997, and
 $6,727,264 at July 31, 1997
 (notes 2 and 3)................   2,136,948  3,190,093  2,780,854   3,133,863
Operating property and
 equipment, net of accumulated
 depreciation and amortization
 of $967,822 at October 31,
 1995, $912,230 at October 31,
 1996, $955,007 at October 19,
 1997, and $975,498 at July 31,
 1997 (notes 2 and 3)...........     356,336    384,759    281,593     306,415
Due from related party (note
 5).............................     229,485    228,737    332,613     316,364
Prepaid expenses and other
 assets.........................     183,681    234,976    303,553     152,251
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total assets................  $5,353,786 $6,610,073 $6,084,915  $6,327,628
                                  ========== ========== ==========  ==========
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
             EQUITY
Short-term debt (note 2)........  $1,679,244 $   90,400 $  449,670  $  484,700
Accounts payable................     705,460    766,465  1,040,494     703,583
Accrued liabilities.............     235,258    244,938    203,709     221,763
Income tax payable..............         --       6,019     12,262       2,992
Long-term debt and capital lease
 obligations (note 3)...........   1,723,384  4,351,394  3,463,807   3,868,069
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total liabilities...........   4,343,346  5,459,216  5,169,942   5,281,107
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
Commitments (notes 6 and 9).....
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, Class A--voting
   par value $.10. Authorized
   2,000,000 shares; issued and
   outstanding 720,000 shares...      72,000     72,000     72,000      72,000
  Common stock, Class B--
   nonvoting. Authorized
   5,000,000 shares; issued and
   outstanding 335,586 shares at
   October 31, 1995, 277,172
   shares at October 31, 1996,
   272,491 shares at October 19,
   1997, and 275,242 shares at
   July 31, 1997................     457,813    395,201    378,714     393,058
Retained earnings...............     480,627    683,656    464,259     581,463
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total stockholders' equity..   1,010,440  1,150,857    914,973   1,046,521
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity.......  $5,353,786 $6,610,073 $6,084,915  $6,327,628
                                  ========== ========== ==========  ==========

 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-28

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 


                                                    PERIOD FROM
                                                    NOVEMBER 1,       NINE MONTHS
                          YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,      1996 TO       ENDED JULY 31,
                          ------------------------  OCTOBER 19,  ----------------------
                             1995         1996         1997         1996        1997
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
                                                              
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals.....  $ 4,800,767  $ 5,918,148  $6,022,196   $4,165,881  $4,501,537
  New equipment sales...    4,283,294    4,463,117   4,355,965    3,310,409   3,228,472
  Sales of parts,
   supplies and
   rental equipment.....      848,193    1,027,943     778,141      824,910     657,572
  Other.................      237,205      296,926     290,140      198,144     215,542
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Total revenues..........   10,169,459   11,706,134  11,446,442    8,499,344   8,603,123
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Costs of Revenues:
  Cost of equipment
   rentals, excluding
   equipment rental
   depreciation and
   amortization.........    2,049,172    2,542,965   2,583,884    1,976,183   2,097,280
  Depreciation and
   amortization,
   equipment rentals....    1,040,233    1,382,048   1,465,586      902,347   1,193,986
  Cost of new equipment
   sales................    4,054,467    4,304,301   4,148,874    3,234,457   3,016,957
  Cost of sales of
   parts, supplies, and
   equipment............      598,545      622,956     595,424      330,714     296,725
  Other.................       38,358       32,582      31,339       24,337      33,115
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Total costs of
 revenues...............    7,780,775    8,884,852   8,825,107    6,468,038   6,638,063
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Gross Profit............    2,388,684    2,821,282   2,621,335    2,031,306   1,965,060
  Selling, general and
   administration.......    2,063,730    2,215,936   2,178,383    1,614,263   1,696,104
  Non-rental
   depreciation and
   amortization.........      107,390      120,757     124,648       88,896      95,171
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Operating income
 (loss).................      217,564      484,589     318,304      328,147     173,785
  Other income
   (expense)............       50,090      116,539      80,080       61,119     105,777
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Income before interest
 and taxes..............      267,654      601,128     398,384      389,266     279,562
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
  Interest income.......       56,053       54,993      39,967       51,898      34,590
  Interest expense......     (324,957)    (401,204)   (642,478)    (264,613)   (410,345)
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
    Net interest
     expense............     (268,904)    (346,211)   (602,511)    (212,715)   (375,755)
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes...........       (1,250)     254,917    (204,127)     176,551     (96,193)
  Income tax expense
   (note 4).............       (1,600)      (7,619)    (15,270)      (1,600)     (6,000)
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations..       (2,850)     247,298    (219,397)     174,951    (102,193)
  Loss from operation of
   discontinued
   subsidiary (note 1)..      (55,929)         --          --           --          --
  Loss from disposal of
   discontinued
   subsidiary (note 1)..          --       (44,269)        --       (16,318)        --
                          -----------  -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Net income (loss).......  $   (58,779) $   203,029  $ (219,397)  $  158,633  $ (102,193)
                          ===========  ===========  ==========   ==========  ==========

 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-29

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 


                             COMMON           COMMON
                              STOCK           STOCK
                             CLASS A         CLASS B
                         --------------- -----------------  RETAINED
                         SHARES  AMOUNT  SHARES    AMOUNT   EARNINGS    TOTAL
                         ------- ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------
                                                    
Balances at October 31,
 1994................... 720,000 $72,000 363,433  $487,609  $539,406  $1,099,015
Purchase Class B common
 stock from ESOP........     --      --  (27,847)  (29,796)      --      (29,796)
Net loss................     --      --      --        --    (58,779)    (58,779)
                         ------- ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------
Balances at October 31,
 1995................... 720,000  72,000 335,586   457,813   480,627   1,010,440
Purchase Class B common
 stock from ESOP........     --      --  (58,414)  (62,612)      --      (62,612)
Net income..............     --      --      --        --    203,029     203,029
                         ------- ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------
Balances at October 31,
 1996................... 720,000  72,000 277,172   395,201   683,656   1,150,857
Purchase Class B common
 stock from ESOP........     --      --   (4,681)  (16,487)      --      (16,487)
Net loss................     --      --      --        --   (219,397)   (219,397)
                         ------- ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------
Balances at October 19,
 1997................... 720,000 $72,000 272,491  $378,714  $464,259  $  914,973
                         ======= ======= =======  ========  ========  ==========

 
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-30

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 


                                                      PERIOD FROM
                          YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,    NOVEMBER 1, 1996 NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31,
                          ------------------------   TO OCTOBER 19,  ----------------------------
                             1995         1996            1997          1996         1997
                          -----------  -----------  ---------------- -----------  ----------
                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
                                                                            
CASH FLOWS FROM
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income (loss)......  $   (58,779) $   203,029     $ (219,397)   $   158,633  $ (102,193)
 Adjustments to
  reconcile net income
  (loss) to net cash
  provided by operating
  activities:
 Depreciation and
  amortization..........    1,147,623    1,502,805      1,590,234        991,243   1,289,157
 Provision for bad
  debts.................       71,600       96,216         73,894         52,515      59,985
 Provision for write-
  down of inventory.....       31,709          --          35,403            --       35,403
 Gain on sale of
  equipment.............     (213,049)    (364,504)      (220,017)      (196,325)   (167,944)
 Changes in operating
  assets:
  (Increase) decrease
   in trade accounts
   receivable...........     (282,115)    (151,882)       (73,527)      (190,069)     31,473
  (Increase) decrease
   in related party
   receivables..........      (54,741)         748       (103,876)       (30,385)    (87,627)
  (Increase) decrease
   in merchandise
   inventory............       38,955      (96,479)       (50,568)      (348,187)    (95,337)
  (Increase) decrease
   in prepaid expenses
   and other assets.....      (29,102)      10,934       (174,821)       (42,445)    (50,309)
  Increase (decrease)
   in accounts payable,
   trade................       18,196       61,005        274,029        114,982     (62,882)
  Increase (decrease)
   in accrued
   liabilities..........       52,801        9,680        (41,229)       (39,228)    (23,175)
  Decrease in deferred
   revenue..............       (4,440)         --             --             --          --
  Increase (decrease)
   in income tax
   payable..............          --         6,019          6,243            --       (3,027)
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by
    operating
    activities..........      718,658    1,277,571      1,096,368        470,734     823,524
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from the sale
  of rental equipment
  and operating property
  and equipment.........      277,390      469,489        348,374        245,232     213,013
 Purchases of rental
  equipment and
  operating property
  and equipment.........   (1,620,011)  (2,689,358)    (1,206,186)    (2,042,083) (1,199,652)
 Proceeds from sale of
  marketable
  securities............        4,954        2,514            --           2,514         --
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
   Net cash used in
    investing
    activities..........   (1,337,667)  (2,217,355)      (857,812)    (1,794,337)   (986,639)
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Borrowings on long-term
  debt..................      788,967    3,062,482        855,435      3,224,342     828,345
 Payments on long-term
  debt..................     (574,595)  (1,121,435)    (1,743,022)      (572,655) (1,311,670)
 Net borrowings
  (payments) on short-
  term debt.............      513,771     (901,881)       359,270     (1,553,999)    394,300
 Premiums paid for
  officers' life
  insurance.............      (60,042)     (64,743)       (93,756)       (50,799)    (66,966)
 Drawings on cash
  surrender value of
  officers' life
  insurance.............          --           --         200,000            --      200,000
 Purchase of Class B
  common stock..........      (29,796)     (62,612)       (16,487)       (59,590)     (2,143)
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by
    (used in) financing
    activities..........      638,305      911,811       (438,560)       987,299      41,866
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
   Net increase
    (decrease) in cash..       19,296      (27,973)      (200,004)      (336,304)   (121,249)
Cash at beginning of
 period.................      317,008      336,304        308,331        336,304     308,331
                          -----------  -----------     ----------    -----------  ----------
Cash at end of period...  $   336,304  $   308,331     $  108,327    $       --   $  187,082
                          ===========  ===========     ==========    ===========  ==========
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF
 CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 Cash paid during the
  period for:
 Interest...............  $   324,957  $   401,204     $  516,307    $   264,613  $  410,345
                          ===========  ===========     ==========    ===========  ==========
 Income taxes...........  $     1,600  $     1,600     $    4,606    $     1,600  $   10,627
                          ===========  ===========     ==========    ===========  ==========
NONCASH INVESTING AND
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Sale of property and
  equipment for
  promissory note.......  $    10,000  $       --      $      --     $       --   $      --
                          ===========  ===========     ==========    ===========  ==========
 Conversion of short-
  term debt to long-term
  debt..................  $       --   $   686,963     $      --     $       --   $      --
                          ===========  ===========     ==========    ===========  ==========

 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-31

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
OCTOBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1996 TO OCTOBER 19, 1997
  (THE INFORMATION AS OF JULY 31, 1997 AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31,
                          1997 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 (a) Organization and Principles of Consolidation
 
  The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Operations Management Systems,
Inc. (OMS). The Company rents and sells construction and industrial supplies
and power equipment in Northern California. OMS marketed and sold computer
hardware and software to construction related businesses. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation. The
nature of the Company's business is such that short-term obligations are
typically met by cash flow generated from long-term assets. Consequently,
consistent with industry practice, the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets are presented on an unclassified basis.
 
  As of October 31, 1995, the Company decided to discontinue the operations of
its subsidiary, OMS. Certain assets of OMS were sold as of October 31, 1995.
The Company disposed of the remaining assets and liabilities of OMS, which
included cash, accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities, during fiscal year 1996. The Company
recognized a loss on disposal of the remaining assets. The loss from the
disposal of OMS assets was $44,269 for the year ended October 31, 1996 and
$16,318 for the nine months ended July 31, 1996. The loss from the operations
of OMS was $55,929 for the year ending October 31, 1995.
 
 (b) Interim Financial Statements
 
  The accompanying consolidated balance sheet at July 31, 1997 and the
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the nine month periods ended July 31, 1996 and 1997 are unaudited and have
been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial
statements included herein. In the opinion of management, such unaudited
consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present
fairly the information set forth therein, which consist solely of normal
recurring adjustments. The results of operations for such interim periods are
not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 
 (c) Merchandise Inventory
 
  Merchandise inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the weighted-average method.
 
 (d) Revenue Recognition
 
  Revenue related to the sale of construction and industrial supplies and
power equipment is recognized at the point of sale. Revenue related to the
rental of construction and industrial power equipment is recognized at the
time of return for rentals of twenty-eight days or less, and ratably over the
contract term for rentals in excess of twenty-eight days.
 
 (e) Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment are stated at cost and consist of rental equipment
and operating property and equipment. Property and equipment under capital
leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments.
 
  Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using an accelerated
method.
 
                                     F-32

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Depreciation for property and equipment is taken over the asset's useful
life of 5 years, except for leasehold improvements which are amortized over 10
to 20 years.
 
 (f) Other Assets
 
  Other assets consist primarily of the cash surrender value of officers' life
insurance net of loans against the cash surrender value of the policies and
unbilled rental revenue. The loans outstanding were $410,000 at October 31,
1995 and 1996, and $610,000 at October 19, 1997 and July 31, 1997. The Company
is named beneficiary under the life insurance policy. Unbilled rental revenue
represents the revenue recognized on contracts over twenty-eight days, but not
billed. At October 19, 1997 unbilled rental revenue was $180,178.
 
 (g) Income Taxes
 
  The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method
under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax
rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those
temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the asset
and liability method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.
 
 (h) Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 (i) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of
 
  The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of,
on November 1, 1996. This Statement requires that long-lived assets and
certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not
be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which
the carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. Assets
to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair
value less costs to sell. Adoption of this statement did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or
liquidity.
 
 (j) Reclassifications
 
  Certain amounts in the 1995 and 1996 consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the 1997 consolidated financial statement
presentation.
 
                                     F-33

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
(2) SHORT-TERM DEBT
 
  As of October 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company had borrowed $255,525 and
$90,400, respectively, on a credit facility that allows the Company to borrow
up to $500,000 at the bank's prime rate (9.25% and 8.25% at October 31, 1995
and 1996, respectively) plus 2%. Borrowings under this facility are
collateralized by trade accounts receivable. As of October 31, 1995, the
Company had also borrowed $1,303,719 on three additional credit facilities
that allowed borrowing up to $1,800,000 bearing interest at the bank's prime
rate (9.25% at October 31, 1995) plus 2%. Borrowings under these facilities
were collateralized by equipment. In addition, as of October 31, 1995, the
Company had borrowed $120,000 on an additional credit facility that allowed
borrowings of up to $200,000 bearing interest at the bank's prime rate (9.25%
at October 31, 1995) plus 2%. Borrowings under this facility were unsecured.
 
  In 1997, the Company had borrowed on a credit facility that allows the
Company to borrow up to $500,000 at the bank's prime rate (8.5% at October 19,
1997 and July 31, 1997) plus 2%. At October 19, 1997 and July 31, 1997, the
amounts outstanding were $449,670 and $484,700, respectively.
 
(3) LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
  Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
 


                                       OCTOBER 31,
                                  --------------------- OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
                                     1995       1996       1997        1997
                                  ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
   CURRENT PAYOR AND TERMS
   Union Safe Deposit Bank--
    Various notes with combined
    monthly payments of $54,592
    including interest at prime
    plus 2%, due from 1996
    through 1999. Collateralized
    by equipment and accounts
    receivable..................  $   62,547 $1,382,482  $851,741    $989,334
   American Equipment Leasing--
    Various leases with combined
    monthly payments of $24,149
    including interest ranging
    from 11.5% to 12%, due from
    1997 through 1998.
    Collateralized by
    equipment...................     351,766    510,567   377,619     381,122
   Atlas Copco, Inc.--Various
    notes with a combined
    monthly payment of $22,212
    including interest ranging
    from 8.5% to 12.36%, due
    from 1996 through 1998.
    Collateralized by
    equipment...................     190,310    352,446   257,875     323,727
   Clark Equipment Credit Co.--
    Various notes with a
    combined monthly payment of
    $3,546 including interest
    ranging from 8.7% to 12.39%,
    due from 1996 through 1999.
    Collateralized by
    equipment...................     236,363    105,889    39,083      45,433
   Ingersoll-Rand--One note with
    a monthly payment of $3,254
    including interest at 9.75%,
    due in 1999. Collateralized
    by equipment................         --      91,121    52,069      61,832
   Prospect Leasing--Two leases
    with a combined monthly
    payment of $1,798 including
    interest at 10%, due in
    1998. Collateralized by
    equipment...................         --      36,364    18,712      24,106

 
 
                                     F-34

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 


                                        OCTOBER 31,
                                   --------------------- OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
                                      1995       1996       1997        1997
                                   ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
   CURRENT PAYOR AND TERMS--
    (CONTINUED)
   Miller Electric Finance--Two
    notes with a combined monthly
    payment of $3,964 including
    interest ranging from 10.25%
    to 11.3%, due in 1999.
    Collateralized by equipment..         --      72,746     89,813     101,704
   The Associates--Various notes
    and leases with a combined
    monthly payment of $35,365
    including interest ranging
    from 9% to 13.5%, due from
    1996 through 2000.
    Collateralized by equipment..     609,507    924,064  1,002,327   1,175,627
   JI Case Credit Corporation--
    Three notes with combined
    monthly payments of $14,428
    including interest ranging
    from 6.9% to 8.2%, due from
    1997 through 2000.
    Collateralized by equipment..     268,365    515,184    349,235     346,540
   Orix Credit--One note with a
    monthly payment of $1,835
    including interest at 9.5%,
    due in 1996. Collateralized
    by equipment.................      14,681        --         --          --
   John Deere--One note with a
    monthly payment of $885
    including interest at 8.75%,
    due in 1998. Collateralized
    by equipment.................      24,779     14,159      3,540       6,195
   Caterpillar Financial
    Services--Various notes with
    a combined monthly payment of
    $12,279 including interest
    ranging from 9.4% to 11.3%,
    due from 1998 through 2001.
    Collateralized by equipment..      65,842    546,420    458,438     493,833
   Colonial Pacific Leasing--One
    note with a monthly payment
    of $1,323 including interest
    at 10%, due in 1997.
    Collateralized by equipment..      21,171      5,293        --          --
   Newcourt Financial--Two notes
    with a combined monthly
    payment of $4,207 including
    interest ranging from 10% to
    11%, due in 1998 and 2001.
    Collateralized by equipment..      50,638    196,194    148,508     158,329
   Other.........................      30,730     80,773     62,181     105,030
                                   ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
   Total long-term debt..........   1,926,699  4,833,702  3,711,141   4,212,812
   Less amounts representing
    interest.....................     203,315    482,308    247,334     344,743
                                   ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
   Long-term debt, net of
    interest.....................  $1,723,384 $4,351,394 $3,463,807  $3,868,069
                                   ========== ========== ==========  ==========

 
  Subsequent to October 19, 1997, all amounts outstanding under the long-term
debt agreements and capital lease agreements were paid except for $18,546
which is scheduled for payment in fiscal year 1998.
 
                                     F-35

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
(4) INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense consists of the following:
 


                                                     PERIOD FROM
                                        YEAR ENDED   NOVEMBER 1,   NINE MONTHS
                                        OCTOBER 31,    1996 TO   ENDED JULY 31,
                                       ------------- OCTOBER 19, ---------------
                                        1995   1996     1997      1996    1997
                                       ------ ------ ----------- ------- -------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
   Current............................ $1,600 $7,619   $15,270   $ 1,600 $ 6,000
   Deferred...........................    --     --        --        --      --
                                       ------ ------   -------   ------- -------
                                       $1,600 $7,619   $15,270   $ 1,600 $ 6,000
                                       ====== ======   =======   ======= =======

 
  Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are comprised of the
following:
 


                                      OCTOBER 31,
                                  --------------------  OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
                                    1995       1996        1997        1997
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------- -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
   Current deferred tax assets:
     Allowance for bad debts....  $  36,800  $  34,600   $  34,600   $  41,000
     Inventory reserve..........     13,800        --        6,600         --
   Noncurrent deferred tax
    assets:
     Depreciation and
      amortization expense......     12,700     12,000      14,000      11,300
     Net operating loss.........    285,400    188,300     236,800     198,800
     Alternative minimum taxes..     12,300     25,500      39,000      29,900
                                  ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------
     Total deferred tax assets..    361,000    260,400     331,000     281,000
     Less: Valuation allowance..   (361,000)  (260,400)   (331,000)   (281,000)
                                  ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------
     Total deferred tax assets..        --         --          --          --
     Total deferred tax
      liabilities...............        --         --          --          --
                                  ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------
       Net deferred tax
        asset/liability.........  $     --   $     --    $     --    $     --
                                  =========  =========   =========   =========

 
  The effective rate for income tax expense differs from the statutory tax
rate of 34% when applied to income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes as a result of the following:
 


                                         OCTOBER 31,
                                         ------------  OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
                                         1995   1996      1997        1997
                                         -----  -----  ----------- -----------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                       
   Expected U.S. Federal income tax.....  (34%)   34%      (34%)      (34%)
   State franchise tax, net.............  128%     1%      --           2%
   Net operating loss carryforward......   --    (34%)     --          --
   Effect of valuation allowance........   34%    --        34%        34%
   Alternative minimum tax..............   --      2%        7%         4%
                                         -----  -----      ---        ----
       Total............................  128%     3%        7%         6%
                                         =====  =====      ===        ====

 
                                     F-36

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The net change in the total valuation allowance for the year ended October
31, 1995 and 1996 and the period from November 1, 1996 to October 19, 1997 was
an increase of $8,000, a decrease of $100,600 and an increase of $70,600,
respectively.
 
(5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
 Building
 
  The Company leased its Stockton, California premises from officers and
stockholders of the Company. The Company executed a new five year lease on
June 1, 1993 with monthly rent of $21,500. On October 20, 1997, this lease was
amended for an additional five years with monthly rent of $17,000. In
addition, the Company as lessee is to pay all taxes and insurance relating to
the property. At October 19, 1997, the remaining commitment under this lease,
as amended, is $1,020,000 plus property taxes and insurance.
 
 Due From Related Party
 
  Due from related party comprise the following:
 


                                         OCTOBER 31,
                                      ----------------- OCTOBER 19,  JULY 31,
   DUE FROM                             1995     1996      1997        1997
   --------                           -------- -------- ----------- -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
   President and shareholder......... $206,296 $228,737  $317,613    $316,364
   Vice president and shareholder....   23,189      --     15,000         --
                                      -------- --------  --------    --------
                                      $229,485 $228,737  $332,613    $316,364
                                      ======== ========  ========    ========

 
  The amounts due from related parties were paid subsequent to October 19,
1997.
 
(6) OPERATING LEASES
 
  The Company leases vehicles from various unrelated companies through 1999.
The vehicle leases, as well as the lease for the Company's business premises,
are classified as operating leases. At October 19, 1997, future minimum lease
payments under the operating leases including amounts amended as discussed in
note (5) are:
 


   YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 31
   ----------------------
                                                                   
     1998............................................................ $  442,636
     1999............................................................    305,036
     2000............................................................    204,000
     2001............................................................    204,000
     2002............................................................    204,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $1,359,672
                                                                      ==========

 
  Operating lease expense aggregated $520,210, $533,619 and $501,473 in 1995,
1996 and for the period from November 1, 1996 to October 19, 1997,
respectively, and $167,032 and $359,378 for the nine months ended July 31,
1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
(7) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
  Effective October 31, 1972, the Company established an Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (ESOP) for the benefit of its eligible employees. The ESOP is
designed to invest primarily in the stock of the Company. Contributions to the
ESOP are determined annually by the Board of Directors, however, in no case
may the
 
                                     F-37

 
                A & A TOOL RENTALS & SALES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
contribution exceed the lesser of (a) fifteen percent (15%) of the
compensation of eligible employees, or (b) $30,000 for each participant. No
contributions were made in the years ended October 31, 1995 and 1996 or the
period from November 1, 1996 to October 19, 1997.
 
  The ESOP measures compensation for Plan purposes as the Company's
contribution to the Plan. No compensation cost was recognized by the Plan for
the years ended October 31, 1995 and 1996, or the period from November 1, 1996
to October 19, 1997.
 
  The ESOP held 335,586, 277,172, 272,491 and 275,242 allocated shares at
October 31, 1995 and 1996, October 19, 1997, and July 31, 1997, respectively.
No committed-to-be-released or suspense shares were held by the ESOP at
October 31, 1995 and 1996, October 19, 1997, or at July 31, 1997.
 
  Following termination of employment, participants receive a distribution of
their vested ESOP account balance in the form of cash or Company shares in
accordance with the provisions of the ESOP. If shares are distributed to the
participant, the participant has the right to sell the shares back to the
Company, for a limited period of time, at the fair market value of the shares.
 
(8) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
  In August 1995, the Company established a Profit Sharing/401(k) Savings Plan
(Plan) under Section 401 and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially
all employees are eligible for the Plan. Yearly employer contributions to the
Plan are discretionary. Employees may also elect to contribute to the Plan.
For the years ended October 31, 1995 and 1996, and the period from November 1,
1996 to October 19, 1997, the Company contributed $8,245, $27,422, and
$27,064, respectively to the Plan and $19,780 and $19,779 for the nine months
ended July 31, 1996 and 1997.
 
(9) COMMITMENTS
 
  Litigation, contingent liabilities, and claims, all arising in the ordinary
course of business, are not expected to involve any amounts that could be
material to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
  On October 17, 1997, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement
with United Rentals, Inc. (United). The transaction closed on October 20, 1997
and under the terms of the stock purchase agreement, United purchased all of
the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company.
 
                                     F-38

 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
J & J Rental Services, Inc.
 
  We have audited the balance sheets of the predecessor companies to J & J
Rental Services, Inc. (see Note 1) as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the
related statements of income, stockholders' equity and partners' capital and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the predecessor companies
to J & J Rental Services, Inc. at December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                                  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
October 29, 1997
 
 
                                     F-39

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                    (NOTE 1)
 


                                           PREDECESSORS           COMPANY
                                       --------------------- -----------------
                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                       --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          1995       1996        1997
                                       ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                               
                ASSETS
Cash.................................. $  561,443 $  666,153  $ 1,757,218
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
 for doubtful accounts of $433,444,
 $428,270, and $69,573 for 1995, 1996
 and 1997, respectively...............  1,486,515  1,502,119    1,975,944
Trade notes receivable, net of
 allowance for doubtful accounts of
 $145,844 and $93,337 for 1995 and
 1996, respectively...................     24,493     37,081
Rental equipment, net.................  6,284,122  6,669,365   10,504,415
Property and equipment, net...........    463,603    467,460      492,603
Investments in marketable equity
 securities...........................     52,750     81,175
Due from Predecessor Stockholder......    120,000    120,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets.....     41,303    126,221        1,375
Organization costs, net...............                             36,979
Covenant not to compete, net..........                             47,500
                                       ---------- ----------  -----------
      Total assets.................... $9,034,229 $9,669,574  $14,816,034
                                       ========== ==========  ===========
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable.................... $  669,304 $  628,252  $   588,548
  Accrued expenses....................    334,965    336,884      185,617
  Income tax payable..................      7,613     24,814
  Deferred tax liability..............    418,000    430,000
  Debt................................  5,424,992  5,766,651   14,180,795
  Due to Predecessor Stockholder......    410,222    336,498
                                       ---------- ----------  -----------
      Total liabilities...............  7,265,096  7,523,099   14,954,960
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity and partners'
 capital:
  Stockholder's equity--J & J
   Equipment, Inc.
    Common stock, $1.00 par value,
     50,000 shares authorized, issued
     and outstanding..................     50,000     50,000
    Unrealized gain on marketable
     equity securities................      2,750      1,165
    Retained earnings.................    871,858    981,955
                                       ---------- ----------
                                          924,608  1,033,120
  Stockholders' equity--J & J Rental
   Services, Inc.
    Common stock, no par value,
     1,000,000 shares authorized,
     77,500 shares issued and
     outstanding......................                              1,000
    Accumulated deficit...............                           (139,926)
                                                              -----------
                                                                 (138,926)
  Partners' capital--Tri-Star Rentals,
   Ltd................................    844,525  1,113,355
                                       ---------- ----------
    Total stockholders' equity and
     partners' capital................  1,769,133  2,146,475
                                       ---------- ----------  -----------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity and
     partners' capital................ $9,034,229 $9,669,574  $14,816,034
                                       ========== ==========  ===========

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-40

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                    (NOTE 1)
 


                                                                            PREDECESSORS                              COMPANY
                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------  -------------
                                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED      THREE MONTHS
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               JUNE 30,              ENDED
                                                       ----------------------------------  ----------------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          1994        1995        1996        1996        1997         1997
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)         (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                 
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals................................... $6,419,892  $7,573,784  $7,769,716  $4,053,397  $3,823,790   $2,174,283
  Sales of equipment and parts........................  1,797,142   1,810,400   1,243,297     624,375     573,450       62,948
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total revenues....................................  8,217,034   9,384,184   9,013,013   4,677,772   4,397,240    2,237,231
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of revenues, excluding equipment rental
   depreciation.......................................  3,173,760   3,906,336   3,544,040   1,860,016   1,629,299      935,526
  Depreciation, equipment rentals.....................  1,708,936   2,048,619   2,389,929   1,101,571   1,171,685      392,002
  Cost of revenues of equipment and parts.............    835,327     898,190     452,522     307,328     326,847       51,698
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total cost of revenues............................  5,718,023   6,853,145   6,386,491   3,268,915   3,127,831    1,379,226
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Gross profit..........................................  2,499,011   2,531,039   2,626,522   1,408,857   1,269,409      858,005
Selling, general and administrative expenses..........  1,561,951   1,840,973   1,521,562     749,625     713,488      427,268
Non-rental depreciation...............................    101,606     125,004     123,971      83,848      78,643       31,560
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
    Operating income..................................    835,454     565,062     980,989     575,384     477,278      399,177
Interest expense......................................    262,253     411,731     478,341     251,708     180,769      241,409
Other (income), net...................................     (3,375)    (45,103)    (27,523)    (29,609)    (11,418)     (26,306)
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
    Income before provision for income taxes..........    576,576     198,434     530,171     353,285     307,927      184,074
Provision for income taxes............................    112,601      35,678      49,685      56,000      98,000          --
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
    Net income........................................ $  463,975  $  162,756  $  480,486  $  297,285  $  209,927   $  184,074
- --------------------------------------------------
                                                       ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========   ==========

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-41

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
            STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                                    (NOTE 1)
 


                                            UNREALIZED
                                          (LOSS) GAIN ON
                            COMMON STOCK    MARKETABLE    RETAINED   PARTNERS'
                           SHARES AMOUNT    SECURITIES    EARNINGS    CAPITAL
                           ------ ------- -------------- ----------  ---------
                                                      
Predecessors:
  Balance at January 1,
   1994................... 50,000 $50,000                  $606,799   $827,938
  Net income..............                                  189,297    274,678
  Distributions paid to
   partners...............                                            (175,344)
  Unrealized loss on
   marketable securities..                   $(6,500)
                           ------ -------    -------     ----------  ---------
  Balance at December 31,
   1994................... 50,000  50,000     (6,500)       796,096    927,272
  Net income..............                                   75,762     86,994
  Distributions paid to
   partners...............                                            (169,741)
  Unrealized gain on
   marketable securities..                     9,250
                           ------ -------    -------     ----------  ---------
  Balance at December 31,
   1995................... 50,000  50,000      2,750        871,858    844,525
  Net income..............                                  110,097    370,389
  Distributions paid to
   partners...............                                            (101,559)
  Unrealized loss on
   marketable securities..                    (1,585)
                           ------ -------    -------     ----------  ---------
  Balance at December 31,
   1996................... 50,000  50,000      1,165        981,955  1,113,355
  Net income (loss) from
   January 1, 1997 to June
   30, 1997 (unaudited)...                                  311,262   (101,335)
  Distributions paid to
   partners (unaudited)...                                             (50,500)
                           ------ -------    -------     ----------  ---------
  Balance at June 30, 1997
   (unaudited)............ 50,000 $50,000    $ 1,165     $1,293,217  $ 961,520
                           ====== =======    =======     ==========  =========
Company:
  Issuance of common stock
   (unaudited)............ 77,500 $ 1,000
  Net income from July 1,
   1997 to September 30,
   1997 (unaudited).......                               $  184,074
  Basis adjustment
   (unaudited)............                                 (324,000)
                           ------ -------    -------     ----------  ---------
  Balance at September 30,
   1997 (unaudited)....... 77,500 $ 1,000                $ (139,926)
                           ====== =======    =======     ==========  =========

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-42

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (NOTE 1)
 


                                                                          PREDECESSORS                                COMPANY
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
                                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED      THREE MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                JUNE 30,              ENDED
                                                    -------------------------------------  ----------------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                       1994         1995         1996         1996        1997         1997
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)         (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income...................................      $   463,975  $   162,756  $   480,486  $  297,285  $  209,927  $    184,074
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities:
 Depreciation.................................        1,810,542    2,173,623    2,513,900   1,185,419   1,250,328       428,009
 Bad debt expense (recovery)..................          121,196      128,092      (57,621)     (8,793)      7,214        69,573
 Gain on sale of rental equipment.............         (574,043)    (396,704)    (369,379)   (293,981)   (210,390)      (11,250)
 Gain on sale of property and equipment.......           (5,110)      (2,809)      (6,591)        --          --            --
 Deferred taxes...............................          109,703       23,000       12,000         --          --            --
 Changes in assets and liabilities:
  Increase in accounts receivable.............         (529,657)     (64,895)     (10,430)   (120,785)   (512,942)   (2,045,517)
  (Increase) decrease in trade notes
   receivable.................................           80,639     (170,337)      39,859    (194,354)     37,081           --
  (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and
   other assets...............................           23,694      (31,561)     (84,918)    143,283     (26,028)       (1,375)
  Increase (decrease) in accounts payable.....          233,814       46,476      (41,052)    (10,000)    372,230       588,548
  Increase in accrued expenses................           98,864       53,632        1,919      17,153     123,765       185,617
  Increase in income tax payable..............              --         7,613       17,201      48,387      73,186           --
  Increase in other assets....................              --           --           --          --          --        (86,719)
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
   Cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities................................        1,833,617    1,928,886    2,495,374   1,063,614   1,324,371      (689,040)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Acquisition of property and equipment........         (174,473)    (270,369)    (195,823)   (146,148)   (614,414)  (11,797,486)
 Proceeds from sale of rental equipment.......        1,014,501      930,860      755,122     624,372   1,227,501        62,948
 Proceeds from sale of property and
  equipment...................................           39,119       24,634       74,585         --          --            --
 Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable
  securities..................................           (6,500)       9,250       (1,585)        --          --            --
 Purchase of marketable securities............          (43,500)      (9,250)     (28,425)        --          --            --
 Payments on loans to Predecessor
  Stockholder.................................         (110,033)     (21,573)     (73,724)    (94,857)    (79,254)          --
 Proceeds received on Predecessor Stockholder
  loans.......................................              --        94,857          --       49,358       6,884           --
 Loan to Predecessor Stockholder..............              --      (120,000)         --          --          --            --
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
   Cash provided by (used in) investing
    activities................................          719,114      638,409      530,150     432,725     540,717   (11,734,538)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Borrowing under credit facilities............          600,664      871,496      351,958         --          --     14,511,343
 Principal payments on debt...................       (2,882,889)  (3,117,926)  (3,171,213) (1,451,558) (1,920,472)     (330,547)
 Distributions paid...........................         (175,344)    (169,741)    (101,559)    (48,559)    (50,500)          --
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
   Cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities................................       (2,457,569)  (2,416,171)  (2,920,814) (1,500,117) (1,970,972)   14,180,796
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
Increase (decrease) in cash ..................           95,162      151,124      104,710      (3,778)   (105,884)    1,757,218
Cash at beginning of year.....................          315,157      410,319      561,443     561,443     666,153           --
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
   Cash at end of year........................      $   410,319  $   561,443  $   666,153  $  557,665  $  560,269  $  1,757,218
- --------------------------------------------------
                                                    ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ==========  ============

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-43

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                       DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996
  (THE INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
    30, 1996 AND 1997 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 IS
                                  UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  J & J Rental Services, Inc. (the "Company") was formed in May 1997, and
pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"), on
June 30, 1997 acquired all of the rental equipment and property and equipment
from J & J Equipment, Inc. ("J & J"), and Tri-Star Rentals, Ltd. ("Tri-Star")
(collectively, the "Predecessors") and assumed all operations of the
Predecessors (the "Acquisition"). The purchase price of $10,700,000 consisted
of cash of $7,200,000 and a promissory note payable for $3,500,000. The sole
stockholder and partner of J & J and Tri-Star, respectively, (the "Predecessor
Stockholder") has, on a fully-diluted basis, a 9% ownership interest in the
outstanding common stock of the Company, and has continued in a management
role as chief operating officer.
 
  The accompanying financial statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and
for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and for the six month
periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 present the accounts and results of
operations of the Predecessors on a combined, historical cost basis. Although
the financial statements of the Predecessors have been combined, the balance
sheets and statements of income and cash flows do not represent those of a
single legal entity. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in combination.
 
  The financial statements as of September 30, 1997 and for the three month
period ended September 30, 1997 present the accounts and results of operations
of the Company since the Acquisition.
 
  The Acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase effective July 1, 1997
and, accordingly, at such date the Company recorded the assets acquired at
their estimated fair values, adjusted for the impact of the Predecessor
Stockholder's continuing residual interest as described below. The assets
acquired have been reduced by $324,000 representing the Predecessor
Stockholder's continuing residual interest in the Company with a corresponding
charge against the Company's retained earnings.
 
  The adjusted purchase price and the preliminary allocation of the adjusted
purchase price to the historical assets of the Company as of July 1, 1997 are
as follows:
 

                                                                
   Purchase price................................................. $10,700,000
   Adjustment necessary to value Predecessor Stockholder's
    continuing residual interest at Predecessor's basis...........     324,000
                                                                   -----------
   Adjusted purchase price........................................ $10,376,000
                                                                   ===========
   Allocation of adjusted purchase price:
     Net assets acquired, at fair values.......................... $10,326,000
     Covenant not to compete......................................      50,000
                                                                   -----------
       Total adjusted purchase price allocation................... $10,376,000
                                                                   ===========

 
 Business Activity
 
  The Company rents and sells light weight and heavy off-road construction
equipment for use by construction and maintenance companies, and has ancillary
sales of parts and supplies. The rentals are on a daily, weekly or monthly
basis. The Company has two locations in Houston, Texas and its principal
market area is the
 
                                     F-44

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
state of Texas. The nature of the Company's business is such that short-term
obligations are typically met by cash flow generated from long-term assets.
Consequently, consistent with industry practice, the balance sheets are
presented on an unclassified basis.
 
 Interim Financial Statements
 
  The accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 1997 and the statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the six-month periods ended
June 30, 1996 and 1997 and three-month period ended September 30, 1997, are
unaudited and have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial
statements included herein. In the opinion of management, such unaudited
financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the
information set forth therein, which consist solely of normal recurring
adjustments. The results of operations for such interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 
 Rental Equipment
 
  Rental equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation for rental equipment is
computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three
to five years with no salvage value. Rental equipment costing less than $500
is immediately expensed at the date of purchase. Equipment rental revenue is
recorded as earned under the operating method. Equipment rental revenue in the
statements of operations includes revenues earned on equipment rentals, and
related fuel sales and rental equipment delivery fees. Proceeds from the
disposal and the related net book value of the equipment are recognized in the
period of disposal and reported as revenue from rental equipment sales in the
statements of operations. Ordinary maintenance and repair costs are charged to
operations as incurred.
 
 Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation of property and
equipment is computed on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives
of 5 to 10 years.
 
  The cost of assets sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of, and the related
accumulated depreciation is eliminated from the accounts and any resulting
gain or loss is included in operations. Ordinary maintenance and repair costs
are charged to operations as incurred.
 
 Advertising Costs
 
  The Company advertises primarily through trade journals, phone directories
and the distribution of promotional items. All advertising costs are expensed
as incurred. Advertising expenses amounted to approximately $44,333, $40,095,
and $52,483 in the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
$13,251 and $1,297 in the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and $9,433 in the three months ended September 30, 1997.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  J & J applied an asset and liability approach to accounting for income
taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from differences
between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the
financial statements. Deferred tax balances are determined by using tax rates
expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds
received. Under federal and state income tax law, Tri-Star, a partnership, is
not a taxable entity and, therefore, incurs no income tax liability. Any
profits and losses of Tri-Star flow through to the individual partners.
 
 
                                     F-45

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 Investments
 
  The Company's investments consist of marketable equity securities and are
classified as available for sale. Any unrealized gains or losses are excluded
from income and are presented as a component of stockholders' equity.
 
Covenant Not to Compete
 
  The covenant not to compete reflects an agreement made regarding
confidentiality and restricting competitive activity and is being amortized by
the straight-line method over the period of the agreement, which is 5 years.
Amortization expense was $2,500 for the three month period ended September 30,
1997.
 
 Accounting Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
2. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
  The Company maintains cash balances with a quality financial institution
and, accordingly, management believes this mitigates the amount of credit
risk. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to customer receivables are
limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base and its credit policy.
 
3. RENTAL EQUIPMENT
 
  Rental equipment and related accumulated depreciation consisted of the
following:
 


                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              1995        1996         1997
                                           ----------- ----------- -------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
   Rental equipment....................... $12,003,618 $12,520,482  $10,896,417
   Less accumulated depreciation..........   5,719,496   5,851,117      392,002
                                           ----------- -----------  -----------
   Rental equipment, net.................. $ 6,284,122 $ 6,669,365  $10,504,415
                                           =========== ===========  ===========

 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment consists of the following:
 


                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                           --------------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1995       1996         1997
                                           ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
   Transportation equipment............... $ 776,494  $ 763,402    $419,159
   Furniture, fixtures and office equip-
    ment..................................    80,851     92,082      59,760
   Shop equipment.........................    39,356     39,356
   Leasehold improvements.................               38,386
   Construction in progress...............                           45,244
                                           ---------  ---------    --------
                                             896,701    933,226     524,163
   Less accumulated depreciation..........  (433,098)  (465,766)    (31,560)
                                           ---------  ---------    --------
   Total.................................. $ 463,603  $ 467,460    $492,603
                                           =========  =========    ========

 
 
                                     F-46

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
5. DEBT
 
  Debt consists of the following:
 


                                                DECEMBER 31
                                           ---------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              1995       1996         1997
                                           ---------- ----------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
CIT Group--Various notes dated from
 September 21, 1995 through August 5,
 1997, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 8% to 9.4% due in monthly payments
 ranging from $867 to $43,987. ..........  $1,694,640 $ 1,246,231   $648,955
The Associates--Note dated April 1, 1996,
 with annual interest of 8.8% due in
 monthly payments of $3,609. ............                 110,450
Case Power & Equipment--Various notes
 dated from January 1, 1992 through
 December 30, 1996, with annual interest
 rates ranging from 5.5% to 7.9% due in
 monthly payments ranging from $408 to
 $7,747. ................................     493,789     795,344
Sterling Bank--Various notes dated from
 January 26, 1994 through December 20,
 1996, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 8% to 11% due in monthly payments
 ranging from $582 to $2,084. ...........     108,230     306,708
KDC Financial--Various notes dated from
 June 14, 1993 through December 31, 1996,
 with annual interest rates ranging from
 4.5% to 9.5% due in monthly payments
 ranging from $840 to $4,691. ...........   1,280,585   1,443,971
John Deere Financial--Notes dated
 December 31, 1995 and September 10,
 1996, with annual interest rates of 7.9%
 and 6.9% due in monthly payments of $807
 and $1,083. ............................      33,130      69,247
Frost National Bank--Various notes dated
 from January 25, 1995 through August 15,
 1995, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 8.75% to 9.5% due in monthly
 principal payments ranging from $582 to
 $8,492. ................................     190,868     101,771
Citicorp--Note dated June 15, 1993, with
 an annual interest rate of 5.9% due in
 monthly payments of $921. ..............      15,831       5,433
First Prosperity Bank--Various notes
 dated from September 8, 1994 through
 December 13, 1996, with annual interest
 ranging from 7.25% through 9.9% due in
 monthly payments ranging from $354 to
 $1,039. ................................      89,031      55,139
CAT Financial--Notes dated June 2, 1995
 and December 31, 1994, with annual
 interest rates of 9.69% and 9.5% due in
 monthly payments of $4,227 and
 $3,036. ................................     221,132     152,293
CAT Financial--Notes dated October 11,
 1996 and November 25, 1996, non-interest
 bearing, with monthly payments of $1,205
 and $3,522. ............................                 161,102

 
 
                                      F-47

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


                                                 DECEMBER 31
                                            --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1995       1996        1997
                                            ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
Chase/Clark Credit--Various notes dated
 from March 17, 1994 through September 28,
 1994, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 9.75% to 12.765% due in monthly
 installments ranging from $194 to
 $1,430. .................................      47,010     30,232
First Prosperity--Various notes dated from
 August 16, 1993 through December 13,
 1996, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 6.4% to 11% due in monthly
 installments ranging from $423 to
 $4,205...................................      64,270    171,518
Associates Commercial Credit Corp.--
 Various notes dated from May 16, 1994
 through July 8, 1996, with annual
 interest rates ranging from 7.75% to
 11.25% due in monthly installments
 ranging from $912 to $6,656..............     283,555    246,570
Ingersoll-Rand Company--Various notes
 dated from June 30, 1992 through
 September 8, 1996 with annual interest
 rates ranging from 7% to 9.5% due in
 monthly installments ranging from $301 to
 $7,794...................................      50,417    316,003
Wacker Corporation--Various notes dated
 from January 7, 1994 through May 25,
 1996, with annual interest rates ranging
 from 6.25% to 10.25% due in monthly
 installments ranging from $854 to
 $2,889...................................      71,171     99,666
AEL Leasing Co., Inc.--Various notes dated
 from April 21, 1994 through May 20, 1996,
 with annual interest rates ranging from
 8.72% to 12.93% due in monthly
 installments ranging from $371 to
 $4,883...................................     349,554    261,043
AEL Leasing Co., Inc.--Various non-
 interest bearing notes dated from April
 21, 1994 through February 26, 1996, due
 in 12 principal installments ranging from
 $8,022 to $18,249........................                 36,498
Shandee--Note dated August 31, 1995, with
 an annual interest rate of 11.25% due in
 monthly installments of $2,803...........      50,909     21,510
Sterling Bank--Note dated January 2, 1996,
 with an annual interest rate of 9.5% due
 in 24 principal installments of $4,118...                 53,538
Miller Financing--Various notes dated from
 February 15, 1996 through June 1, 1996,
 with annual interest rates ranging from
 9.25 % to 10.25% due in monthly
 installments ranging from $375 to
 $2,922...................................                 82,384
Toyota Motor Credit Corp.--Notes dated May
 8 and August 8, 1997, with annual
 interest rates of 5.4% and 10.3%,
 respectively, due in monthly installments
 of $543 and $ 561, respectively..........                           48,005

 
 
                                      F-48

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                             --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                1995       1996        1997
                                             ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
Case Credit--Various notes dated June 30,
 1997 with an annual interest rate of 7.9%
 due in monthly installments ranging from
 $1,685 to $2,254..........................                             294,444
Case Credit--Term note dated June 30, 1997,
 with interest due monthly at prime plus
 .75% (9.25% at September 30, 1997).
 Principal is due June 30, 2002. This note
 is secured by all of the Company's rental
 assets and property, plant and equipment,
 and is personally guaranteed by the
 majority owners of the Company............                           7,689,391
J & J and Tri-Star--Promissory note dated
 June 30, 1997 with an annual interest rate
 of 7.5%. Principal payments of $175,000
 are due quarterly beginning October 1,
 2000......................................                           3,500,000
Equus II Incorporated--Senior subordinated
 note dated June 30, 1997, with interest to
 be paid monthly on the unpaid principal
 balance at a variable rate not to exceed
 10% (10% at September 30, 1997). Principal
 is to be paid in four annual installments
 of $500,000 beginning June 30, 2001.......                           2,000,000
Various notes fully repaid during 1996.....     380,870
                                             ---------- ----------  -----------
                                             $5,424,992 $5,766,651  $14,180,795
                                             ========== ==========  ===========

 
  Substantially all rental equipment collateralize the above notes.
 
  The aggregate annual maturities of debt as of December 31, 1996 are as
follows:
 

                                                                   
   1997.............................................................. $2,227,398
   1998..............................................................  1,904,226
   1999..............................................................  1,087,718
   2000..............................................................    531,780
   2001..............................................................     15,529
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $5,766,651
                                                                      ==========

 
6. INCOME TAXES
 
  The provision for income taxes relates to the operating results of J & J
before July 1, 1997 and consists of the following:
 


                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,  ENDED JUNE 30,
                                        ------------------------ ---------------
                                          1994    1995    1996    1996    1997
                                        -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
Current:
  Federal.............................. $    --  $ 7,216 $32,054 $49,500 $86,500
  State................................    2,898   5,462   5,631   6,500  11,500
                                        -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                           2,898  12,678  37,685  56,000  98,000
Deferred:
  Federal..............................   96,878  20,300  10,600     --      --
  State................................   12,825   2,700   1,400     --      --
                                        -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                         109,703  23,000  12,000     --      --
                                        -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
    Total.............................. $112,601 $35,678 $49,685 $56,000 $98,000
                                        ======== ======= ======= ======= =======

 
                                      F-49

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Tri-Star is a pass-through entity and, therefore incurs no tax liability.
Significant components of J & J's deferred tax liability at December 31, 1995
and 1996 are as follows:
 


                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                                1995     1996
                                                              -------- --------
                                                                 
       Difference in basis of accounting..................... $216,000 $221,000
       Cumulative tax depreciation in excess of book.........  202,000  209,000
                                                              -------- --------
       Deferred tax liability                                 $418,000 $430,000
                                                              ======== ========

 
  Effective July 1, 1997, the Company and its shareholders have elected to be
taxed under the provisions of Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code for
federal tax purposes. Under those provisions the Company does not pay federal
income taxes; instead, the shareholders are liable for individual income taxes
on the Company's profit. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is
included in the Company's financial statements for the three months ended
September 30, 1997.
 
7. COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company has an employment agreement with an officer for minimum annual
compensation of $60,000 for the six month period ended December 31, 1997, and
approximately $540,000 to be paid over the remaining term of the contract
which expires in June 2002.
 
8. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
  For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996; the six months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1997; and the three months ended September 30, 1997, total
interest paid was $277,811, $411,731 and $478,341; $251,708 and $180,769; and
$126,430, respectively.
 
  For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996; the six months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1997; and the three months ended September 30, 1997, total
income taxes paid was $ --, $ -- and $ --; $11,233 and $24,814; and $ --,
respectively.
 
  During the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, the Company purchased $3,659,811, $3,738,807,
and $3,160,914; and $1,311,652 and $1,172,917, respectively, of equipment
which was financed.
 
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
  The Predecessor sponsored a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan,
which was implemented during 1995 and covers substantially all full time
employees. The Predecessor matched a portion of the participants'
contributions. Predecessor contributions to the plan were $9,272, $6,395, $--,
and $-- for the years ended December 31, 1995, and 1996 and for the six month
periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  On November 27, 1995, Tri-Star loaned $120,000 to the Predecessor
Stockholder. This non-interest bearing note is unsecured, and is due on
demand. The outstanding balance on this note receivable at December 31, 1995
and 1996 was $120,000.
 
  On November 30, 1995, Tri-Star issued a $100,000 note payable to the
Predecessor Stockholder, which bears interest at 11.4% per annum, requires
monthly principal and interest payments of $6,097, and is unsecured. The
outstanding balance on this note at December 31, 1995 and 1996 was $94,857 and
$79,254, respectively.
 
                                     F-50

 
                          J & J RENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  J & J has a note payable outstanding to the Predecessor Stockholder, which
required interest to be paid quarterly at 6.5% per annum, and is due on
January 1, 1998. The outstanding balance on this note payable at December 31,
1995 and 1996 was $315,365 and $257,244, respectively.
 
  The Company leases its operating facilities from the Predecessor
Stockholder, and pays monthly rent of $8,600. These leases are month-to-month
and can be canceled by either party.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
  On October 23, 1997, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement
with United Rentals, Inc. ("United"). Under the terms of the stock purchase
agreement, United purchased all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company.
 
 
                                     F-51

 
              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
Board of Directors
Coran Enterprises, Inc.
and
Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Coran
Enterprises, Inc. dba A-1 Rents, and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related combined statements of earnings,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the combined financial position of Coran
Enterprises, Inc. dba A-1 Rents, and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the combined results of their operations and
their combined cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          /s/ Grant Thornton LLP
 
San Jose, California
October 24, 1997
 (except for Note F as to which the date is October 28, 1997)
 
                                     F-52

 
                             CORAN ENTERPRISE, INC.
                               DBA A-1 RENTS AND
                      MONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
 


                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                            --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1995       1996        1997
                                            ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
                  ASSETS
Assets
  Cash..................................... $  965,187 $  140,146  $  933,705
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $160,000 in 1995,
   $135,000 in 1996 and $90,000 in 1997....  1,147,524  1,087,278   1,012,615
  Rental equipment, principally machinery
   and equipment, at cost, net of
   accumulated depreciation of $11,375,263
   in 1995, $12,362,378 in 1996 and
   $12,690,816 in 1997.....................  1,290,084  3,961,297   2,948,586
  Operating property and equipment, at
   cost, net of accumulated depreciation of
   $232,919 in 1995, $250,122 in 1996 and
   $263,990 in 1997........................     51,963     34,760      65,137
  Other assets.............................     74,402     77,510      10,942
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total assets........................... $3,529,160 $5,300,991  $4,970,985
                                            ========== ==========  ==========
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities... $  142,581 $  174,936  $  308,471
Equipment loans............................    241,750  1,179,677   1,045,551
Notes payable--stockholders................    158,960  1,408,947   1,030,184
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total liabilities......................    543,291  2,763,560   2,384,206
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock--authorized 100,000 shares
   of no par value and 75,000 share of $1
   par value; issued and outstanding,
   10,000 shares of no par value and 75,000
   shares of $1 par value..................    275,000    275,000     275,000
  Capital in excess of par value...........     37,920     37,920      37,920
  Retained earnings........................  2,672,949  2,224,511   2,273,859
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total stockholders' equity.............  2,985,869  2,537,431   2,586,779
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity................................ $3,529,160 $5,300,991  $4,970,985
                                            ========== ==========  ==========

 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-53

 
                            CORAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               DBA A-1 RENTS AND
                      MONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 


                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                          -------------------------------- -----------------------
                             1994       1995       1996       1996        1997
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
                                                           (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
                                                        
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals.....  $6,068,553 $6,962,130 $7,679,713 $5,435,958  $5,808,564
  Sales of parts, sup-
   plies and rental
   equipment............     663,293    565,586    738,330    593,383     899,829
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total revenues......   6,731,846  7,527,716  8,418,043  6,029,341   6,708,393
Costs
  Cost of equipment
   rentals..............   3,861,538  3,835,982  4,254,243  3,520,941   3,704,188
  Rental equipment
   depreciation.........     531,320    611,577  1,304,847    897,776   1,237,656
  Cost of sales of
   supplies.............     199,684    200,746    257,500    204,319     186,327
  Other.................      45,325     49,523    115,758     61,482      38,435
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Total costs.........   4,637,867  4,697,828  5,932,348  4,684,518   5,166,606
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Gross margin........   2,093,979  2,829,888  2,485,695  1,344,823   1,541,787
Selling, general and ad-
 ministrative...........   1,997,056  1,786,650  2,062,246    752,484     958,764
Non-rental deprecia-
 tion...................      22,682     28,435     17,202     12,944      13,868
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Operating Income....      74,241  1,014,803    406,247    579,395     569,155
Interest expense........      13,408     21,120     96,464     50,137     139,970
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
    Earnings before in-
     come taxes.........      60,833    993,683    309,783    529,258     429,185
Provision for income
 taxes..................       4,015     12,275      8,221        --        5,583
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ----------
  Net earnings..........  $   56,818 $  981,408 $  301,562 $  529,258  $  423,602
                          ========== ========== ========== ==========  ==========

 
 
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-54

 
                            CORAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               DBA A-1 RENTS AND
                      MONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
                   COMBINED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 


                          SHARES ISSUED          ADDITIONAL
                          -------------  COMMON   PAID-IN    RETAINED
                           CEI   MBERI   STOCK    CAPITAL    EARNINGS     TOTAL
                          ------ ------ -------- ---------- ----------  ----------
                                                      
Balance at January 1,
 1994...................  75,000 10,000 $275,000  $37,920   $1,634,723  $1,947,643
  Net earnings..........     --     --       --       --        56,818      56,818
                          ------ ------ --------  -------   ----------  ----------
Balance at January 1,
 1995...................  75,000 10,000  275,000   37,920    1,691,541   2,004,461
  Net earnings..........     --     --       --       --       981,408     981,408
                          ------ ------ --------  -------   ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31,
 1995...................  75,000 10,000  275,000   37,920    2,672,949   2,985,869
  Net earnings..........     --     --       --       --       301,562     301,562
  Dividends paid to
   stockholders.........     --     --       --       --      (750,000)   (750,000)
                          ------ ------ --------  -------   ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31,
 1996...................  75,000 10,000  275,000   37,920    2,224,511   2,537,431
  Net earnings
   (unaudited)..........     --     --       --       --       423,602     423,602
  Dividends paid to
   stockholders
   (unaudited)..........     --     --       --       --      (374,254)   (374,254)
                          ------ ------ --------  -------   ----------  ----------
Balance at September 30,
 1997 (unaudited).......  75,000 10,000 $275,000  $37,920   $2,273,859  $2,586,779
                          ====== ====== ========  =======   ==========  ==========

 
 
         The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
 
                                      F-55

 
                            CORAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
             DBA A-1 RENTS AND MONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 


                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             SEPTEMBER 30,
                         ---------------------------------  ------------------------
                           1994       1995        1996         1996         1997
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                            (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
Cash flows from
 operating activities:
 Net earnings........... $  56,818  $ 981,408  $   301,562  $   529,258  $  423,602
 Adjustments to
  reconcile net earnings
  to net cash provided
  by operating
  activities:
 Depreciation and
  amortization..........   554,002    640,012    1,322,049      910,720   1,251,524
 Gain on sale of
  equipment.............  (215,699)   (85,747)    (163,753)    (152,324)   (443,124)
 Change in assets and
  liabilities:
  Accounts receivable...       154   (210,091)      60,246      (42,349)     74,663
  Other assets..........     5,630      5,220       (3,108)     (18,817)     66,568
  Accounts payable and
   accrued
   liabilities..........   (20,567)    36,638       32,355      219,519     133,535
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by
    operating
    activities..........   380,338  1,367,440    1,549,351    1,446,007   1,506,768
Cash flows from
 investing activities:
 Purchases of rental
  equipment.............  (896,851)  (633,519)  (4,017,946)  (2,609,849)   (271,098)
 Purchases of operating
  equipment.............   (75,630)       --           --           --      (44,246)
 Proceeds from sale of
  equipment.............   258,025    110,273      205,639          --      489,278
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by
    (used in) investing
    activities..........  (714,456)  (523,246)  (3,812,307)  (2,609,849)    173,934
Cash flows from
 financing activities:
 Change in bank
  overdraft.............    15,760    (15,760)         --           --          --
 Borrowings on equipment
  loans.................    65,309    244,235    1,096,820      892,710      99,352
 Payments on equipment
  loans.................   (20,943)   (46,853)    (158,893)         --     (233,478)
 Payment on dividends...       --         --     (750,000)     (750,000)   (374,254)
 Borrowings on notes
  payable--
  stockholders..........   300,000        --     1,249,988      259,999         --
 Payments on notes
  payable--
  stockholders..........   (95,151)   (95,888)         --           --     (378,763)
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by
    (used in) financing
    activities..........   264,975    85, 734    1,437,915      402,709    (887,143)
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   NET (DECREASE)
    INCREASE IN CASH AND
    CASH EQUIVALENTS....   (69,143)   929,928     (825,041)    (761,133)    793,559
Cash and cash
 equivalents--beginning
 of period..............   104,402     35,259      965,187      965,187     140,146
                         ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Cash and cash
 equivalents--end of
 period................. $  35,259  $ 965,187  $   140,146  $   204,054  $  933,705
                         =========  =========  ===========  ===========  ==========
Supplementary
 disclosures of cash
 flow information:
 Cash paid during the
  period for:
 Interest............... $  13,408  $  21,120  $    95,958  $    50,137  $  140,496
                         =========  =========  ===========  ===========  ==========
 Income taxes........... $   4,815  $   1,600  $    23,047  $    10,627  $    5,583
                         =========  =========  ===========  ===========  ==========

 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-56

 
                            CORAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
             DBA A-1 RENTS ANDMONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                          DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
    (THE INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                   SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE A--SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
 
  The combined financial statements include the accounts of Coran Enterprises,
Inc. and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc. (collectively the "Company").
Coran Enterprises, Inc. ("CEI") and Monterey Bay Equipment Rental, Inc.
("MBERI") are combined due to common ownership and operations which are
complimentary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in combination.
 
  The Company leases equipment for home and contractors' use under short-term
rental agreements principally in the Northern California area. The nature of
the Company's business is such that short-term obligations are typically met
by cash flow generated from long-term assets. Consequently, consistent with
industry practice, the accompanying balance sheets are presented on an
unclassified basis.
 
 2. Interim Financial Statements
 
  The accompanying combined balance sheet at September 30, 1997 and the
combined statements of earnings, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 are unaudited and have
been prepared on the same basis as the audited combined financial statements
included herein. In the opinion of management, such unaudited combined
financial statements include all adjustments, which consist solely of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the information set forth
therein. The results of operations for such interim period are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year.
 
 3. Property and Equipment
 
  The Company provides for depreciation in amounts sufficient to relate the
costs of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives
using the double-declining balance method. Leasehold improvements are
amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the improvements or the
term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Maintenance and repairs costs are
expensed as incurred. Supplies and replacement parts are expensed when
purchased.
 
 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all
highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or
less to be cash equivalents.
 
 5. Use of estimates
 
  In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
NOTE B--COMMITMENTS
 
  CEI leases facilities from its stockholders on a month-to-month basis. Total
rent expense on the facilities was $663,067, $662,880 and $667,638 for the
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Total rent expense
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 was $463,500 for each
period.
 
                                     F-57

 
                            CORAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               DBA A-1 RENTS AND
                      MONTEREY BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, INC.
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                          DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
          (THE INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND FOR THE NINE
            MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
NOTE C--INCOME TAXES
 
  The stockholders of Coran Enterprises, Inc. and Monterey Bay Equipment
Rental, Inc, have elected "S" Corporation status for income tax purposes.
Therefore, income or loss for federal and California state income tax purposes
is reported on the shareholders' individual income tax return. Although the
"S" Corporation tax treatment is recognized by the State of California, the
net corporate income is subject to a 1.5% corporate surtax.
 
NOTE D -- EQUIPMENT LOANS
 
  Equipment loans consist of notes payable, collateralized by equipment, due
in monthly installments ranging from $1,095 to $5,375 with interest rates from
5.75% to 8.75%.
 
  Maturities of equipment loans as of December 31, 1996 are as follows:
 


   YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
   ------------------------
                                                                   
     1997............................................................ $  276,911
     1998............................................................    276,605
     1999............................................................    279,527
     2000............................................................    240,309
     2001............................................................    106,325
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $1,179,677
                                                                      ==========

 
NOTE E--NOTES PAYABLE--STOCKHOLDERS
 
  Notes payable to stockholders are uncollateralized and bear interest at
rates from 8% to 9%. These notes are due in 1997. Interest expense on the
notes was $11,254, $17,755 and $44,064 for the years ended December 31, 1994,
1995, and 1996, respectively. Interest expense on the notes was $33,048 and
$60,098 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
NOTE F--SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
  Effective October 28, 1997, the stockholders of CEI and MBERI sold 100% of
the outstanding shares of each company to United Rentals, Inc.
 
                                     F-58

 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc.
 
  We have audited the balance sheets of Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc. as of December
31, 1995 and 1996 and the related statements of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc. at
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
MetroPark, New Jersey
October 21, 1997, except for
 Note 10, as to which the
 date is October 24, 1997
 
 
                                     F-59

 
                              BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 


                                               DECEMBER 31
                                          ----------------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1995        1996         1997
                                          ----------  ----------  -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
                 ASSETS
Cash..................................... $  228,772  $  305,506   $  296,669
Accounts receivable, net.................    591,194     826,849    1,087,790
Unbilled receivables.....................     68,354      40,722      137,760
Inventory................................    157,470      67,825      271,903
Rental equipment, net....................  1,782,926   1,972,910    2,321,275
Property and equipment, net..............    244,817     234,914      335,374
Due from related party...................    412,113         --           --
Prepaid expenses and other assets........     33,701      13,530       27,015
                                          ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total assets......................... $3,519,347  $3,462,256   $4,477,786
                                          ==========  ==========   ==========
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                (DEFICIT)
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
   other liabilities..................... $  104,961  $   90,584   $  323,489
  Debt...................................  3,748,682   3,051,711    2,973,516
                                          ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total liabilities....................  3,853,643   3,142,295    3,297,005
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, $.01 par value and $1.00
   stated value, 100,000 shares
   authorized, 10,000 issued and
   outstanding at December 31, 1995 and
   1996, and September 30, 1997..........     10,000      10,000       10,000
  Additional paid-in capital.............    598,000     598,000      598,000
  Notes receivable from stockholders.....   (500,000)   (300,000)    (300,000)
  Retained earnings (deficit)............   (442,296)     11,961      872,781
                                          ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total stockholders' equity
     (deficit)...........................   (334,296)    319,961    1,180,781
                                          ----------  ----------   ----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity (deficit).................... $3,519,347  $3,462,256   $4,477,786
                                          ==========  ==========   ==========

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-60

 
                              BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 


                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31             SEPTEMBER 30
                         ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                            1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
Revenues:
  Equipment rentals..... $3,199,643  $3,427,596  $4,313,855  $2,923,030  $3,774,997
  New equipment sales...    499,392     266,308     611,033     317,956     526,570
  Sales of parts,
   supplies and rental
   equipment............    659,628     155,331     410,957     367,560     311,556
  Other.................    193,321     147,214     194,469     136,761     146,370
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues......  4,551,984   3,996,449   5,530,314   3,745,307   4,759,493
Cost of revenues:
  Cost of equipment
   rentals, excluding
   equipment rental
   depreciation.........    363,876     335,028     699,455     558,088     363,418
  Depreciation,
   equipment rentals....    656,848     637,766     736,525     483,369     601,243
  Cost of new equipment
   sales................    415,168     206,268     479,920     236,297     407,988
  Cost of sales of
   parts, supplies and
   equipment............    376,667     107,989     293,987     176,803     132,474
  Other.................     82,295      32,418     119,315      83,411      93,778
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total cost of
     revenues...........  1,894,854   1,319,469   2,329,202   1,537,968   1,598,901
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Gross profit............  2,657,130   2,676,980   3,201,112   2,207,339   3,160,592
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............  1,674,216   2,540,699   2,359,326   1,334,593   1,562,694
Non-rental
 depreciation...........     61,897      84,463      99,669      72,928      79,608
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Operating income....    921,017      51,818     742,117     799,818   1,518,290
Interest expense........    143,471     171,305     334,035     261,106     210,025
Other (income), net.....    (32,641)    (26,575)    (46,175)    (22,024)    (67,555)
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net income (loss)... $  810,187  $  (92,912) $  454,257  $  560,736  $1,375,820
                         ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-61

 
                              BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 


                            COMMON STOCK                NOTES RECEIVABLE  RETAINED
                          -----------------   PAID-IN         FROM        EARNINGS
                          SHARES    AMOUNT    CAPITAL     STOCKHOLDERS    (DEFICIT)
                          -------  --------  ---------  ---------------- -----------
                                                          
Balance at January 1,
 1994...................   20,000  $ 20,000  $ 345,020     $     --      $   638,409
  Net income............                                                     810,187
  Dividends paid........                                                    (755,000)
                          -------  --------  ---------     ---------     -----------
Balance at December 31,
 1994...................   20,000    20,000    345,020           --          693,596
  Purchase and
   retirement of common
   stock................  (12,000)  (12,000)  (345,020)                   (1,042,980)
  Issuance of common
   stock................    2,000     2,000    598,000      (500,000)
  Net loss..............                                                     (92,912)
                          -------  --------  ---------     ---------     -----------
Balance at December 31,
 1995...................   10,000    10,000    598,000      (500,000)       (442,296)
  Payment on notes
   receivable from
   stockholders.........                                     200,000
  Net income............                                                     454,257
                          -------  --------  ---------     ---------     -----------
Balance at December 31,
 1996...................   10,000    10,000    598,000      (300,000)         11,961
  Net income
   (unaudited)..........                                                   1,375,820
  Dividends paid
   (unaudited)..........                                                    (515,000)
                          -------  --------  ---------     ---------     -----------
Balance at September 30,
 1997 (unaudited).......   10,000  $ 10,000  $ 598,000     $(300,000)    $   872,781
                          =======  ========  =========     =========     ===========

 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-62

 
                              BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 


                                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31               SEPTEMBER 30
                         -----------------------------------  ------------------------
                            1994        1995        1996         1996         1997
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                            
CASH FLOWS FROM
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income (loss)...... $   810,187  $ (92,912) $   454,257  $   560,736  $ 1,375,820
 Adjustments to
  reconcile net income
  to net cash provided
  by operating
  activities:
 Depreciation...........     718,745    722,229      836,194      556,297      680,851
 Gain on equipment
  sales.................    (379,644)  (317,871)    (302,777)    (276,330)    (559,384)
 Interest expense not
  requiring cash........                              17,500
 Changes in assets and
  liabilities:
  Decrease (increase)
   in accounts
   receivable...........      57,832   (132,976)    (235,655)    (150,715)    (260,941)
  (Decrease) increase
   in unbilled
   receivables..........      46,303      5,646       27,632                   (97,038)
  (Increase) decrease
   in inventory.........      (8,878)  (102,542)      89,645       76,465     (204,078)
  (Decrease) increase
   in prepaid expenses
   and other assets.....     (32,965)    30,774       20,171       16,676      (13,485)
  (Decrease) increase
   in accounts payable,
   accrued expenses and
   other liabilities....    (367,989)   (60,113)     (14,377)     129,262      232,905
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Total adjustments....      33,404    145,147      438,333      351,655     (221,170)
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Cash provided by
    operating
    activities..........     843,591     52,235      892,590      912,391    1,154,650
CASH FLOWS FROM
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Purchase of rental
  equipment.............    (200,201)   (92,727)  (1,368,253)  (1,113,613)  (1,522,041)
 Proceeds from sale of
  rental equipment......     825,203    350,739      745,687      528,176    1,131,142
 Purchases of property
  and equipment, net....     (43,865)  (101,985)     (90,932)     (83,965)    (209,392)
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Cash provided by
    (used in) investing
    activities..........     581,137    156,027     (713,498)    (669,402)    (600,291)
CASH FLOWS FROM
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Cash dividends paid....    (755,000)                                         (485,000)
 Issuance of stock......                100,000
 Re-payments on notes
  due from
  stockholders..........                             200,000
 Principal payments on
  debt..................    (645,935)  (742,891)    (802,358)    (796,351)    (278,196)
 Principal payments on
  capital lease
  obligations...........      (9,008)   (32,711)
 Advances to related
  party.................               (412,113)
 Borrowings under credit
  facility..............                900,000      500,000      500,000      200,000
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Cash used in
    financing
    activities..........  (1,409,943)  (187,715)    (102,358)    (296,351)    (563,196)
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Increase (decrease) in
  cash..................      14,785     20,547       76,734      (53,362)      (8,837)
   Cash balance at
    beginning of year...     193,440    208,225      228,772      228,772      305,506
                         -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Cash balance at end
    of year............. $   208,225  $ 228,772  $   305,506  $   175,410  $   296,669
                         ===========  =========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-63

 
                             BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                       DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996
          (THE INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND FOR THE NINE
            MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Business Activity
 
  Bronco Hi-Lift, Inc. (the "Company") rents, sells and repairs aerial lift
equipment for use by construction companies and maintenance and media crews.
The rentals are on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The Company is located in
Denver, Colorado and its principal market area is the state of Colorado. The
nature of the Company's business is such that short-term obligations are
typically met by cash flow generated from long-term assets. Consequently,
consistent with industry practice, the balance sheets are presented on an
unclassified basis.
 
 Interim Financial Statements
 
  The accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 1997 and the statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1996 and 1997 are unaudited and have been prepared on the same
basis as the audited financial statements included herein. In the opinion of
management, such unaudited financial statements include all adjustments
necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein, which consist
solely of normal recurring adjustments. The results of operations for such
interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 
 Inventory
 
  Inventories consists primarily of general replacement parts and fuel for the
equipment and are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in,
first-out method, or market.
 
 Rental Equipment
 
  Rental equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation for rental equipment is
computed using the straight-line method over an estimated five-year useful
life with no salvage value.
 
  Ordinary maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred.
Proceeds from the disposal and the related net book value of the equipment are
recognized in the period of disposal and reported as revenue from sales of
equipment and cost of sales of equipment, respectively, in the statements of
operations.
 
 Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation of property and
equipment is computed on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives
of 5 to 10 years.
 
  Ordinary maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred.
The cost of assets sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of, and the related
accumulated depreciation is eliminated from the accounts and any resulting
gain or loss is included in operations.
 
 Rental Revenue
 
  Rental revenue is recorded as earned under the operating method.
 
 Advertising Costs
 
  The Company advertises primarily through trade journals, trade associations
and phone directories. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising expenses amounted to approximately $51,500, $74,400
 
                                     F-64

 
                             BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
and $43,000 in the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
and $30,435 and $43,237 in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  The Company has elected, by unanimous consent of its shareholders, to be
taxed under the provisions of Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code for
both federal and state purposes. Under those provisions the Company does not
pay federal or state income taxes; instead, the shareholders are liable for
individual income taxes on the Company's profits. Therefore, no provision for
federal or state income taxes is included in the accompanying financial
statements.
 
 Accounting Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
2. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
  The Company maintains cash balances with a quality financial institution
and, accordingly, management believes this mitigates the amount of credit
risk. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to customer receivables are
limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base and its credit policy.
 
3. RENTAL EQUIPMENT
 
  Rental equipment and related accumulated depreciation consisted of the
following:
 


                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                             --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                1995       1996        1997
                                             ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
   Rental equipment......................... $4,614,801 $5,176,658  $5,564,163
   Less accumulated depreciation............  2,831,875  3,203,748   3,242,888
                                             ---------- ----------  ----------
   Rental equipment, net.................... $1,782,926 $1,972,910  $2,321,275
                                             ========== ==========  ==========

 
 
 
                                     F-65

 
                             BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment consists of the following:
 


                                                    DECEMBER 31
                                                 ----------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1995     1996       1997
                                                 -------- -------- -------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                          
   Furniture and fixtures....................... $ 59,078 $ 59,572   $163,562
   Transportation equipment.....................  463,640  520,356    579,456
   Shop equipment...............................   34,855   37,591     37,591
                                                 -------- --------   --------
                                                  557,573  617,519    780,609
   Less accumulated depreciation................  312,756  382,605    445,235
                                                 -------- --------   --------
     Total...................................... $244,817 $234,914   $335,374
                                                 ======== ========   ========

 
5. DEBT
 
  Debt consists of the following:
 


                                                 DECEMBER 31
                                            --------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               1995       1996        1997
                                            ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                         
   Citicorp Dealer Finance Agreement......  $2,250,299 $1,585,000  $1,635,000
   GMAC note dated October 27, 1994 with
    an annual interest rate of 11.52% due
    in monthly payments of $588 through
    November 1999.........................      22,396     17,564
   Kenworth/Trial-EZE dated July 11, 1994
    with annual interest of 10.6% due in
    monthly payments of $2,788 through
    July 1998.............................      75,987     49,147
   Notes payable to a former shareholder
    for $900,000 and $500,000 at an annual
    interest rate of 9%. The $900,000 note
    requires monthly interest payments
    through January 31, 1998 at which time
    the note is due in full. The $500,000
    note requires monthly interest
    payments through January 31, 1997.
    Beginning February 1, 1997, the note
    is payable in 60 monthly installments
    of principal and interest of $10,379
    through December 31, 2001. The above
    $500,000 note is subordinated to the
    Citicorp Dealer Finance Agreement.....  $1,400,000 $1,400,000  $1,338,516
                                            ---------- ----------  ----------
                                            $3,748,682 $3,051,711  $2,973,516
                                            ========== ==========  ==========

 
  The Citicorp Dealer Finance Agreement (the "Agreement") was entered into on
February 5, 1990. Under the terms of the original Agreement the Company would
be allowed to borrow funds to purchase equipment based on certain financial
formulas. Each draw down under the Agreement would be specifically
collateralized by the equipment purchased. On January 24, 1996, the Agreement
was amended to provide the Company with available financing of up to
$3,500,000 for the purchase of equipment. During 1997, the available financing
increased to $3,900,000. Under the amended Agreement the Company's borrowings
and repayments of debt are
 
                                     F-66

 
                             BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
determined by a formula based upon eligible accounts receivable and eligible
rental equipment value. The Agreement was again amended December 27, 1996
principally to extend the renewal date to January 1, 1998. The related note
has an adjustable interest rate of 1.75% per annum above the base rate as
determined and publicly announced by Citibank, N.A. (8.00% and 8.25% at
December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997, respectively). Interest is payable
monthly. Under the original and amended agreement, collateral consists of all
new and used (rental equipment) inventory now owned or hereafter acquired by
the Company including industrial lift trucks, industrial tractors, loaders,
aerial lifts, boom lifts and commercial or industrial equipment and other
goods or products, all chattel paper, leases, contract rights, accounts and
general intangibles and all cash and insurance proceeds. All stockholders have
guaranteed the balance due under this agreement.
 
  The aggregate annual maturities of debt as of December 31, 1996 are as
follows:
 

                                                                   
        1997......................................................... $  950,000
        1998.........................................................  1,761,314
        1999.........................................................    104,595
        2000.........................................................    107,699
        2001.........................................................    128,103
        Thereafter...................................................        --
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $3,051,711
                                                                      ==========

 
6. OPERATING LEASES
 
  During 1994, the Company leased 7,000 square feet of office and shop space
on a twelve month lease, renewable annually. For the period from January 1,
1995 to April 30, 1995, the Company leased approximately 7,000 square feet of
office and shop space under a new month to month lease. Effective May 1, 1995,
the Company moved to a new location and entered into a lease agreement with a
related party, Coyote Investments, LLC ("Coyote") (see Note 9). The facility
consists of 17,000 square feet of office and shop area located on 1.8 acres.
The 15 year lease expires April 30, 2010. The Company is responsible for all
operating expenses of the facility including property taxes, assessments,
insurance, repairs and maintenance.
 
  Rent expense under these leases totaled $37,232, $52,000 and $78,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and $58,500 and $58,500 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Under the lease
agreement with Coyote, rent is payable in monthly installments of $6,500 for
the first two years of the lease. Thereafter the rent shall be increased
annually to reflect the then current fair market rent for the premises,
provided that each annual increase shall not exceed 10% of the previous year's
rental rate. Future minimum rent commitments are $78,000 each for years ended
December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2009 and $26,000 for January 1, 2010 to
April 30, 2010, provided there is no increase in fair market rent for the
premises.
 
7. COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company has employment agreements, which expire in 1998, with three
officers which grant certain severance pay rights to these officers provided
that certain conditions of employment are met. Under terms of the employment
agreements, the officers received approximately $253,000, $703,000, $527,000
and $486,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Additional
compensation to be paid to the officers, until the agreements expire, amounts
to approximately $135,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1997 and
$270,000 during 1998.
 
  The Company guarantees Coyote's debt on the building leased by the Company
(see Note 9).
 
 
                                     F-67

 
                             BRONCO HI-LIFT, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
8. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
  For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, total interest paid was $150,077, $171,305
and $335,686 and $262,774 and $224,016, respectively.
 
  During 1994 and 1995, the Company purchased $609,780 and $726,355,
respectively, of equipment which was financed. There were no purchases in
1996.
 
  On December 20, 1995, the Company purchased and retired 12,000 shares of its
stock for two notes totaling $1,400,000. On December 21, 1995, the Company
issued 2,000 shares of its stock to two officers of the Company in exchange
for $100,000 cash and $500,000 of notes receivable from these officers. During
1996, the officers repaid $200,000 in accordance with the note agreements. In
October of 1997, the notes were repaid in full.
 
  During 1997, the Company paid dividends of $515,000, of which $30,000
represented a non-cash transfer of a fixed asset.
 
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  Coyote is owned by the shareholders of the Company. The Company leases its
office and shop facility from Coyote (see Note 6). All stockholders and the
Company have guaranteed Coyote's debt on the facility. The amount of debt
principal on the facility was $555,080 at December 31, 1996 and $540,600 at
September 30, 1997.
 
  Advances to Coyote were $412,113 at December 31, 1995. Coyote paid $3,434 of
interest to the Company during 1996. As part of the Citicorp Amendment No. 1
Refinancing Agreement, the Company owed Coyote $152,187, which it paid with
interest of $7,990 during August 1996. These obligations were fulfilled with a
non-cash transaction in connection with the above mentioned amended agreement.
 
  On December 21, 1995 the Company issued 2,000 shares to two officers of the
Company in exchange for $100,000 cash and two notes for $250,000 each. The
notes bear interest at 9% per annum and are payable bi-annually. Principal on
each note is payable $100,000 in 1996, $100,000 in 1997 and $50,000 in 1998.
Interest paid to the Company during 1996 by these stockholders was $42,400. In
October of 1997, the notes were repaid in full.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
  On October 24, 1997, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement
with United Rentals, Inc. ("United"). Under the terms of the stock purchase
agreement, United purchased all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company.
 
 
                                     F-68

 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The expenses of the Registrant in connection with the distribution of the
securities being registered hereunder are set forth below and will be borne by
the Registrant:
 

                                                                    
     Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.............. $ 93,959
     Printing expenses................................................    3,000
     Accounting fees and expenses.....................................   20,000
     Legal fees and expenses..........................................   25,000
     Miscellaneous....................................................   26,000
                                                                       --------
     Total............................................................ $167,959
                                                                       ========

 
  All amounts except the registration fee are estimated.
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") of the Company provides
that a director will not be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to
the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware
Law"), which concerns unlawful payments of dividends, stock purchases or
redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. If the Delaware Law is subsequently amended to
permit further limitation of the personal liability of directors, the
liability of a director of the Company will be eliminated or limited to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law as amended.
 
  The Registrant, as a Delaware corporation, is empowered by Section 145 of
the Delaware Law, subject to the procedures and limitation stated therein, to
indemnify any person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of his being or
having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant. The
statute provides that indemnification pursuant to its provisions is not
exclusive of other rights of indemnification to which a person may be entitled
under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors,
or otherwise. The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with
each of its directors and officers. In general, these agreements require the
Company to indemnify each of such persons against expenses, judgments, fines,
settlements and other liabilities incurred in connection with any proceeding
(including a derivative action) to which such person may be made a party by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee
of the Company or guaranteed any obligations of the Company, provided that the
right of an indemnitee to receive indemnification is subject to the following
limitations: (i) an indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification unless he
acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct
was unlawful and (ii) in the case of a derivative action, an indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification in the event that he is judged in a final non-
appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the
Company due to willful misconduct in the performance of his duties to the
Company (unless and only to the extent that the court determines that the
indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification).
 
  Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware Law, the Registrant has purchased
insurance on behalf of its present and former directors and officers against
any liability asserted against or incurred by them in such capacity or arising
out of their status as such.
 
 
                                     II-1

 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
  Set forth below is a listing of all sales by the Company of unregistered
securities since the Company was incorporated on August 14, 1997. All such
sales were exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act (and, in the case of
the private placement described in paragraph 3 below, Regulation D
thereunder), as they were transactions not involving a public offering. The
Company believes that each of the issuances made pursuant to Section 4(2) was
made to a sophisticated investor, who had the financial resources to bear the
risk of the investment and who had the means and opportunity to obtain
information concerning the Company. The consideration paid to the Company in
respect of each issuance was cash, unless otherwise indicated. All sales
described below were made by the Company without the assistance of any
underwriters.
 
    1. In September, October, November and December 1997, the Company issued
  an aggregate of 12,910,714 shares of Common Stock and 6,342,858 warrants to
  certain officers of the Company (including, in certain cases, one or more
  entities controlled by the officer) for an aggregate amount of $46.01
  million (not including 240,000 shares that were issued in the private
  placement described in paragraph 3 below to a person who subsequently
  became a director). See "Management--Capital Contributions by Officers and
  Directors" in the prospectus which is a part of this Registration
  Statement.
 
    2. In October 1997, the Company sold an aggregate of 112,857 shares of
  Common Stock to four employees of the company and one consultant at a price
  of $3.50 per share.
 
    3. In September 1997, the Company in a private placement sold an
  aggregate of 3,028,873 shares of Common Stock, at a price of $3.50 per
  share, to 51 accredited investors. Such sale was made in accordance with
  Regulation D promulgated under the Act.
 
    4. In October 1997, the Company issued 318,712 shares of Common Stock as
  part of the consideration for the acquisition by the Company of one of the
  Initial Acquired Companies. The number of such shares is subject to
  adjustment as described under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Consideration for Initial
  Acquired Companies."
 
    5. In October 1997, the Company issued a convertible note in the
  principal amount of $300,000 as part of the consideration for the
  acquisition of one of the Initial Acquired Companies.
 
    6. In October and November 1997, options with respect to 797,500 shares
  of Common Stock were granted to employees of the Company. Such options have
  exercise prices ranging from $10.00 per share to $30.00 per share and a
  weighted average exercise price of $12.49 per share.
 
    7. In November 1997, the Company issued 5,000 shares and a warrant to
  purchase 1,200 shares (at a $10.00 per share exercise price) as
  compensation for services.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, all exhibits are incorporated by reference to
the correspondingly numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-39117).
 


 EXHIBIT                                                                  PAGE
 NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS                      NUMBER
 -------                    -----------------------                      ------
                                                                   
   3(a)  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
         Company, in effect as of the date hereof
   3(b)  By-laws of the Company, in effect as of the date hereof
   4     Form of Common Stock Certificate
   5*    Opinion of Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause & Zivian LLP
  10(a)  $55 Million Revolving Credit Facility, dated as of October 8,
         1997, between the Company, various financial institutions,
         and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
         as agent, together with the First Amendment thereto dated
         October 17, 1997 and the Second Amendment thereto dated
         October 24, 1997

 
 
                                     II-2

 


 EXHIBIT                                                                 PAGE
 NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS                     NUMBER
 -------                    -----------------------                     ------
                                                                  
  10(b)  1997 Stock Option Plan
  10(c)  Form of Warrant Agreement(1)
  10(d)  Form of Private Placement Purchase Agreement entered into by
         certain officers of the Company in connection with
         purchasing shares and warrants from the Company(2)
  10(e)  Form of Subscription Agreement for September 1997 Private
         Placement(3)
  10(f)  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Officers and Directors
         of the Company
  10(g)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Bradley S.
         Jacobs, dated as of September 14, 1997
  10(h)  Employment Agreement between the Company and John N. Milne,
         dated as of September 14, 1997
  10(i)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael J.
         Nolan, dated as of October 14, 1997
  10(j)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert P.
         Miner, dated as of October 10, 1997
  10(k)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997,
         among the Company and the shareholders of Mercer Equipment
         Company+
  10(l)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997,
         among the Company and the shareholders of Bronco Hi-Lift
         Inc.+
  10(m)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997,
         among the Company and Coran Enterprises, Inc., Monterey Bay
         Equipment Rentals, Inc., James M. Shade, Carol A. Shade,
         James M. Shade and Carol Anne Shade, Trustees under the
         James M. Shade and Carol A. Shade Trust Agreement dated
         September 14, 1982, Randall Shade and Corey Shade.+
  10(n)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997,
         among the Company and the shareholders of Rent-It Center,
         Inc.+
  10(o)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20, 1997,
         among the Company and A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc., Joseph
         E. Doran, Patrick J. Doran, and A&A Tool Rentals & Sales,
         Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan.+
  10(p)  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 23, 1997,
         among the Company, UR Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. and J&J
         Rental Services, Inc.+
  10(q)  Convertible Note dated October 24, 1997
  10(r)  Subscription Agreement dated November 14, 1997, between
         Wayland R. Hicks and the Company
  10(s)  Agreement dated November 14, 1997, between the Company and
         Wayland R. Hicks
  10(t)  Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement to IPO (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 1(a) to the Registrant's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-39117).
  10(u)  Form of International Purchase Agreement for IPO
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to the
         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
         Registration No. 333-39117).
  11     Statement re: Computation of per share earnings
  21     Subsidiaries of the Company

 
                                      II-3

 


 EXHIBIT                                                           PAGE
 NUMBER                  DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS                  NUMBER
 -------                 -----------------------                  ------
                                                            
 23(a)*  Consent of Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause & Zivian LLP
         (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
 23(c)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(d)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(e)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(f)*  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick
 23(g)*  Consent of Webster Duke & Co. PA
 23(h)*  Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
 23(i)   Consent of Wayland R. Hicks
 24      Power of Attorney (included in Part II of the original
         Registration Statement under the caption "Signatures")

- --------
  * Filed herewith.
  + Filed without exhibits and schedules (to be provided supplementally upon
request of the Commission).
(1) The Company issued a warrant in this form to the following officers of the
    Company (or in certain cases to an entity controlled by such officer) for
    the number of shares indicated: Bradley S. Jacobs (5,000,000); John N.
    Milne (714,286); Michael J. Nolan (285,715); Robert P. Miner (142,857);
    Sandra E. Welwood (50,000); Joseph J. Kondrup, Jr. (50,000); Kai E. Nyby
    (50,000); and Richard A. Volonino (50,000).
(2) Each officer of the Company who purchased securities prior to the date
    hereof, other than Messrs. Jacobs and Hicks, entered into a Private
    Placement Purchase Agreement in this form (modified, in the case of Messrs.
    Barker and Imig, to reflect the fact that said officers did not purchase
    Warrants) with respect to the shares of Common Stock and Warrants purchased
    by such officer from the Company as described under "Management--Capital
    Contributions by Officers and Directors."
(3) Each purchaser of shares in the Company's September 1997 private placement
    of 3,028,873 shares of Common Stock entered into a Subscription Agreement
    in this form with respect to the shares purchased.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
      (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933;
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the Registration Statement; and
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
    any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
  provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
  the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to
  be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
  in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
  of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference
  in the Registration Statement.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered
 
                                      II-4

 
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the
  form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part
  of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-5

 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW
YORK, DECEMBER 2, 1997.
 
                                          United Rentals, Inc.
 
                                                   /s/ Bradley S. Jacobs
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                BRADLEY S. JACOBSCHAIRMAN,
                                                PRESIDENT, CHIEF  EXECUTIVE
                                                   OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE RESPECTIVE DATES SET FORTH OPPOSITE THEIR NAMES. EACH
PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS BELOW HEREBY AUTHORIZES BRADLEY S. JACOBS, JOHN
N. MILNE AND MICHAEL J. NOLAN AND EACH WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, TO
EXECUTE IN THE NAME AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON ANY AMENDMENT OR ANY POST-
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND TO FILE THE SAME, WITH
EXHIBITS THERETO, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING SUCH
CHANGES IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS THE REGISTRANT DEEMS APPROPRIATE, AND
APPOINTS EACH OF BRADLEY S. JACOBS, JOHN N. MILNE AND MICHAEL J. NOLAN, EACH
WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, ATTORNEY-IN-FACT TO SIGN ANY AMENDMENT AND ANY
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND TO FILE THE SAME,
WITH EXHIBITS THERETO, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
 
              SIGNATURE                         TITLE                DATE
 
        /s/ Bradley S. Jacobs           Chairman, Chief          December 2,
- -------------------------------------    Executive Officer           1997
          BRADLEY S. JACOBS              and Director
                                         (Principal
                                         Executive Officer)
 
          /s/ John N. Milne             Director                 December 2,
- -------------------------------------                                1997
            JOHN N. MILNE
 
         /s/ Ronald M. DeFeo            Director                 December 2,
- -------------------------------------                                1997
           RONALD M. DEFEO
 
                                        Director                 December  ,
- -------------------------------------                                1997
         RICHARD J. HECKMANN
 
                                        Director                 December  ,
- -------------------------------------                                1997
          GERALD TSAI, JR.
 
        /s/ Michael J. Nolan            Chief Financial          December 2,
- -------------------------------------    Officer (Principal          1997
          MICHAEL J. NOLAN               Financial Officer)
 
        /s/ Sandra E. Welwood           Vice President,          December 2,
- -------------------------------------    Corporate                   1997
          SANDRA E. WELWOOD              Controller
                                         (Principal
                                         Accounting Officer)
 
                                      II-6

 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, all exhibits are incorporated by reference to
the correspondingly numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-39117).
 


 EXHIBIT                                                                  PAGE
 NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS                      NUMBER
 -------                    -----------------------                      ------
                                                                   
   3(a)  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
         Company, in effect as of the date hereof
   3(b)  By-laws of the Company, in effect as of the date hereof
   4     Form of Common Stock Certificate
   5*    Opinion of Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause & Zivian LLP
  10(a)  $55 Million Revolving Credit Facility, dated as of October 8,
         1997, between the Company, various financial institutions,
         and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
         as agent, together with the First Amendment thereto dated
         October 17, 1997 and the Second Amendment thereto dated
         October 24, 1997
  10(b)  1997 Stock Option Plan
  10(c)  Form of Warrant Agreement(1)
  10(d)  Form of Private Placement Purchase Agreement entered into by
         certain officers of the Company in connection with purchasing
         shares and warrants from the Company(2)
  10(e)  Form of Subscription Agreement for September 1997 Private
         Placement(3)
  10(f)  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Officers and Directors
         of the Company
  10(g)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Bradley S.
         Jacobs, dated as of September 14, 1997
  10(h)  Employment Agreement between the Company and John N. Milne,
         dated as of September 14, 1997
  10(i)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael J.
         Nolan, dated as of October 14, 1997
  10(j)  Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert P. Miner,
         dated as of October 10, 1997
  10(k)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997, among
         the Company and the shareholders of Mercer Equipment Company+
  10(l)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997, among
         the Company and the shareholders of Bronco Hi-Lift Inc.+
  10(m)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997, among
         the Company and Coran Enterprises, Inc., Monterey Bay
         Equipment Rentals, Inc., James M. Shade, Carol A. Shade,
         James M. Shade and Carol Anne Shade, Trustees under the James
         M. Shade and Carol A. Shade Trust Agreement dated September
         14, 1982, Randall Shade and Corey Shade.+
  10(n)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1997, among
         the Company and the shareholders of Rent-It Center, Inc.+
  10(o)  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20, 1997, among
         the Company and A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc., Joseph E.
         Doran, Patrick J. Doran, and A&A Tool Rentals & Sales, Inc.
         Employee Stock Ownership Plan.+
  10(p)  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 23, 1997,
         among the Company, UR Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. and J&J
         Rental Services, Inc.+
  10(q)  Convertible Note dated October 24, 1997

 

 


 EXHIBIT                                                                  PAGE
 NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS                      NUMBER
 -------                    -----------------------                      ------
                                                                   
 10(r)   Subscription Agreement dated November 14, 1997, between
         Wayland R. Hicks and the Company
 10(s)   Agreement dated November 14, 1997, between the Company and
         Wayland R. Hicks
 10(t)   Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement to IPO (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 1(a) to the Registrant's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, 333-39117)
 10(u)   Form of International Purchase Agreement for IPO
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to the
         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, 333-39117)
 11      Statement re: Computation of per share earnings
 21      Subsidiaries of the Company
 23(a)*  Consent of Ehrenreich Eilenberg Krause & Zivian LLP (included
         in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
 23(c)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(d)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(e)*  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 23(f)*  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick
 23(g)*  Consent of Webster Duke & Co. PA
 23(h)*  Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
 23(i)   Consent of Wayland R. Hicks
 24      Power of Attorney (included in Part II of the original
         Registration Statement under the caption "Signatures")

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  * Filed herewith.
  + Filed without exhibits and schedules (to be provided supplementally upon
request of the Commission).
(1) The Company issued a warrant in this form to the following officers of the
    Company (or in certain cases to an entity controlled by such officer) for
    the number of shares indicated: Bradley S. Jacobs (5,000,000); John N.
    Milne (714,286); Michael J. Nolan (285,715); Robert P. Miner (142,857);
    Sandra E. Welwood (50,000); Joseph J. Kondrup, Jr. (50,000); Kai E. Nyby
    (50,000); and Richard A. Volonino (50,000).
(2) Each officer of the Company who purchased securities prior to the date
    hereof, other than Messrs. Jacobs and Hicks, entered into a Private
    Placement Purchase Agreement in this form (modified, in the case of
    Messrs. Barker and Imig, to reflect the fact that said officers did not
    purchase Warrants) with respect to the shares of Common Stock and Warrants
    purchased by such officer from the Company as described under
    "Management--Capital Contributions by Officers and Directors."
(3) Each purchaser of shares in the Company's September 1997 private placement
    of 3,028,873 shares of Common Stock entered into a Subscription Agreement
    in this form with respect to the shares purchased.