<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF AND FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           7,436                   7,436
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,747                  38,747
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,684)                 (1,684)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,321                  49,321
<PP&E>                                         544,664                 544,664
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,023                 118,023
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 497,890                 497,890
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,917                  53,917
<BONDS>                                        442,608                 442,608
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,938                   3,938
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   497,890                 497,890
<SALES>                                         61,373                 110,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,373                 110,274
<CGS>                                           40,841                  72,341
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,841                  72,341
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,448                  21,080
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,646                  18,475
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (562)                 (1,622)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                     101
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (562)                 (1,723)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (562)                 (1,723)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>