<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 THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          16,215
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,123
<ALLOWANCES>                                        58
<INVENTORY>                                     76,152<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                         107,664
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,663
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,444,295
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          259,476
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           251
<OTHER-SE>                                     167,331<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,444,295
<SALES>                                         40,707<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,697
<CGS>                                           34,458<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  285,354
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,641<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,356
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,346
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,027
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,027
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35
<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>