<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, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 49,242
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,866
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 116,428<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F2>
<PP&E> 144,816
<DEPRECIATION> 63,294
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,533,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F2>
<BONDS> 175,000
276,022
0
<COMMON> 253
<OTHER-SE> 257,348<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,533,574
<SALES> 70,231<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 784,771
<CGS> 61,630<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS> 627,007
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 15,028<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 37,369
<INCOME-PRETAX> 105,741
<INCOME-TAX> 50,231
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,510
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 55,510
<EPS-BASIC> 2.07
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.62
<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 EXPENSES, AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES AND CLASS
ACTION LITIGATION SETTLEMENTS.
</FN>
</TABLE>
