<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 NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 50,154
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 3,294
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 113,145<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F2>
<PP&E> 153,596
<DEPRECIATION> 70,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,507,794
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F2>
<BONDS> 175,000
278,601
0
<COMMON> 256
<OTHER-SE> 284,010<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,507,794
<SALES> 100,261<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,189,739
<CGS> 86,793<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS> 948,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 34,904<F6>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,284
<INCOME-PRETAX> 151,266
<INCOME-TAX> 71,852
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 79,414
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 79,414
<EPS-BASIC> 2.94
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.30
<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>
