<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 1 AND 2 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          50,154
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,294
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    113,145<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                         153,596
<DEPRECIATION>                                  70,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,507,794
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          278,601
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           256
<OTHER-SE>                                     284,010<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,507,794
<SALES>                                        100,261<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,189,739
<CGS>                                           86,793<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  948,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,904<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,284
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                151,266
<INCOME-TAX>                                    71,852
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             79,414
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    79,414
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.30
<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 EXPENSES, AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES AND CLASS
ACTION LITIGATION SETTLEMENTS.
</FN>