<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AARON RENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              96
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,794
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    176,968<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F3>
<PP&E>                                          39,757<F4>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F4>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 239,382
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F3>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,766
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,689
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   239,382
<SALES>                                         73,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               310,751
<CGS>                                           55,914
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  276,793
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,237
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,841
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,396
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,396
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94
<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 69,530 ACCUMULATED
    DEPRECIATION.
<F3>THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE PRESENTED WITH AN UNCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET.
<F4>PP&E HAS BEEN SHOWN NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.
</FN>