<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CENTRAL PARKING CORP. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          39,495                  53,669
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,240                  64,757
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,769                 145,707
<PP&E>                                         382,506                 421,090
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,063                  22,872
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 954,022               1,064,577
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,666                 176,366
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          110,000                 110,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           366                     368
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,548                 346,751
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   954,022               1,064,577
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               600,399                 736,461
<CGS>                                          456,704                 568,897
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  528,747                 700,002
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,232                  26,951
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,518                  17,064
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,373                  12,380
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,145                   4,684
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                  (1,002)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,145                   3,682
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.76                    0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.74                    0.10