<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM McGRATH
RENTCORP FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           1,941
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,298
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (650)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         404,993<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                               (109,456)<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 345,371
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,644
<OTHER-SE>                                      98,423
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   345,371
<SALES>                                        123,655
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               123,655
<CGS>                                           66,345
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   66,345
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,022
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,465
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,971
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,136<F3>
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.70
<FN>
<F1>Includes rental equipment, Land, Buildings, Land Improvements, Furniture and
Equipment.
<F2>Accumulated depreciation related to PP&E footnote above.
<F3>Net income includes minority interest in income of subsidiary.
</FN>