<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AARON RENTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                              91
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,435
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    238,592
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          55,096
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 335,530
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,816
<OTHER-SE>                                     182,726
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   335,530
<SALES>                                         63,057
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               247,282
<CGS>                                           51,329
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  221,820
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,544
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,918
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,207
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,207
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71

<F1>THE ALLOWANCE OF DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS IS NETTED AGAINST TOTAL ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
IN THE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BALANCE.
<F2>RENTAL MERCHANDISE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS INVENTORY FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SCHEDULE. RENTAL MERCHANDISE HAS BEEN SHOWN NET OF 104,335 ACCUMULATED
DEPRECIATION.
<F3>THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE PRESENTED WITH AN UNCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET.
<F4>PP&E HAS BEEN SHOWN NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.