<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001067701
<NAME> United Rentals, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 31,715
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 609,548
<ALLOWANCES> 59,745
<INVENTORY> 142,078
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 2,822,257
<DEPRECIATION> 621,075
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,265,150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 2,801,333
300,000
5
<COMMON> 703
<OTHER-SE> 1,506,277
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,265,150
<SALES> 2,167,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,167,941
<CGS> 443,042
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,349,455
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (796)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 29,915
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 167,268
<INCOME-PRETAX> 239,318
<INCOME-TAX> 99,317
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 140,001
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 140,001
<EPS-BASIC> 1.96
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.49
</TABLE>