EXHIBIT 12(a)
 
                              UNITED RENTALS, INC.
 
           STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA RATIO 
                         OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 


                                                
                          SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA   SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA  
                                YEAR ENDED            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 (1)      JUNE 30, 1998 (1)
                         ------------------------  -----------------------
                                             
Earnings:                                                           
  Income before                                                     
   provision for income                                             
   taxes................       $ 86,488,321        $55,493,012    
  Interest expense......         74,339,568         32,982,314    
  Amortization of debt                                              
   issuance cost........          1,868,761            934,381      
  Interest portion of                                               
   rent expense(2)......         11,924,284          6,435,188    
                               ------------        ----------- 
    Earnings as                                                   
     adjusted...........       $174,620,934        $95,844,895 
                               ============        =========== 
Fixed charges:                                                      
  Interest expense......       $ 74,339,568        $32,982,314   
  Amortization of debt                                              
   issuance cost........          1,868,761            934,381
  Interest portion of                                               
   rent expense(2)......         11,924,284          6,435,188        
                               ------------        -----------
    Fixed charges.......       $ 88,132,613        $40,351,883     
                               ============        ===========
Ratio of earnings to                                                
 fixed charges..........               2.0x                2.4x   

- --------
(1) The supplemental pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges gives effect 
    to (i) each acquisition completed by the Company after the beginning of the
    period and the financing thereof, and (ii) completion of the Merger with
    U.S. Rentals using the "pooling of interest" method of accounting.

(2) The interest portion of rent expense is estimated to be one-third of rent
    expense.