<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 99 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 15,922 <ALLOWANCES> 0<F1> <INVENTORY> 190,524<F2> <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F3> <PP&E> 45,575<F4> <DEPRECIATION> 0<F4> <TOTAL-ASSETS> 266,510 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F3> <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 11,816 <OTHER-SE> 155,480 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 266,510 <SALES> 40,724 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 186,641 <CGS> 30,788 <TOTAL-COSTS> 166,778 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,093 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,770 <INCOME-TAX> 6,930 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,840 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10,840 <EPS-PRIMARY> .55 <EPS-DILUTED> .54 <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 77,879 accumulated depreciation. <F3>The financial statements are presented with an unclassified balance sheet. <F4>PP&E has been shown net of accumulated depreciation. </FN>