<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCGRATH
RENTCORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT (10Q) FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,342
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,499
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         277,353<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (73,076)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 237,963
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,718
<OTHER-SE>                                      96,747
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   237,963
<SALES>                                        105,653
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               105,653
<CGS>                                           58,441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   58,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,971
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,336
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,632
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,703
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,703
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES RENTAL EQUIPMENT, LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENT, FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT.
<F2>ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION RELATED TO FOOTNOTE 16 ABOVE.
</FN>