<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOUND ON PAGES 3 AND 4 OF OUR FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          14,093
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,643
<ALLOWANCES>                                        13
<INVENTORY>                                    100,901<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                         138,621
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,806
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,498,688
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          273,468
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           253
<OTHER-SE>                                     224,844<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,498,688
<SALES>                                         40,230<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               392,526
<CGS>                                           35,271<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  315,524
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,450<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,008
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,801
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,912
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,889
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,889
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.61
<FN>
<F1>RENTAL MERCHANDISE, HELD FOR RENT.
<F2>BALANCE SHEET IS UNCLASSIFIED.
<F3>ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS AND TREASURY STOCK.
<F4>STORE AND FRANCHISE MERCHANDISE SALES.
<F5>STORE AND FRANCHISE COST OF MERCHANDISE SOLD.
<F6>GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE AND AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES.
</FN>