<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AARON RENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                              90
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,540
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    204,889<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F3>
<PP&E>                                          51,201<F4>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F4>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 291,546
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F3>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,816
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,813
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   291,546
<SALES>                                         49,385
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               211,667
<CGS>                                           39,197
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,597
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,676
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,394
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,140
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,254
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,254
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65
<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 91,154 accumulated
depreciation.
<F3>The financial statements are presented with an unclassified balance sheet.
<F4>PP&E has been shown net of accumulated depreciation.
</FN>