<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AARON RENTS FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 96 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,964 <ALLOWANCES> 0<F1> <INVENTORY> 228,225<F2> <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F3> <PP&E> 56,630<F4> <DEPRECIATION> 0<F4> <TOTAL-ASSETS> 326,147 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F3> <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 11,816 <OTHER-SE> 178,098 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 326,147 <SALES> 34,135 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 125,372 <CGS> 27,726 <TOTAL-COSTS> 112,404 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,227 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,741 <INCOME-TAX> 4,463 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,278 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,278 <EPS-BASIC> .37 <EPS-DILUTED> .36 <FN> <F1>The allowance of doubtful accounts is netted against total accounts receivable in the Accounts Receivable balance. <F2>Rental merchandise has been classified as inventory for purposes of this schedule. Rental merchandise has been shown net of 97,101 accumulated depreciation. <F3>The financial statements are presented with an unclassified balance sheet. <F4>PP&E has been shown net of accumulated depreciation. </FN>