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

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                              90
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,436
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    249,146
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          61,978
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 361,656
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,816
<OTHER-SE>                                     190,570
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   361,656
<SALES>                                         94,760
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               372,132
<CGS>                                           77,064
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  334,458
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,957
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,717
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,804
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,913
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,913
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05

<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 109,708 accumulated
depreciation.
<F3>The financial statements are presented with an unclassified balance sheet.
<F4>PP&E has been shown net of accumulated depreciation.