<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ANTHONY CRANE RENTAL HOLDINGS, 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>                                 499,541                 499,541
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,917                  53,917
<BONDS>                                        470,853                 470,853
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (22,656)                (22,656)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   499,541                 499,541
<SALES>                                         61,373                 110,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,373                 110,274
<CGS>                                           40,841                  72,341
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,841                  72,341
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,450                  21,082
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,537                  20,241
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,455)                 (3,390)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                     101
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,455)                 (3,491)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,455)                 (3,491)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>