
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOUND ON PAGES 1 AND 2 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          14,544
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,008
<ALLOWANCES>                                        14
<INVENTORY>                                    101,998<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                         114,383
<DEPRECIATION>                                  34,126
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,478,598
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          265,870
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           253
<OTHER-SE>                                     177,286<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,478,598
<SALES>                                         74,000<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               696,118
<CGS>                                           64,515<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  573,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,097<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 50,319
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,918
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,918
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.76
<FN>
<F1>RENTAL MERCHANDISE, HELD FOR RENT.
<F2>BALANCE SHEET IS UNCLASSIFIED.
<F3>ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS AND TREASURY STOCK.
<F4>STORE AND FRANCHISE MERCHANDISE SALES.
<F5>STORE AND FRANCHISE COST OF MERCHANDISE SOLD.
<F6>GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE AND AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES.
</FN>


</TABLE>
