<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 NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           7,031                   7,031
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,569                  75,569
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,960)                 (3,960)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,077                  85,077
<PP&E>                                         755,025                 755,025
<DEPRECIATION>                               (170,336)               (170,336)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 776,947                 776,947
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,398                  46,398
<BONDS>                                        722,431                 722,431
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,440                   5,440
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   776,947                 776,947
<SALES>                                        100,070                 296,818
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               100,070                 296,818
<CGS>                                           62,077                 190,246
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,077                 190,246
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,924                  57,624
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,388                  55,287
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (269)                 (6,339)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                     200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (269)                 (6,539)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (269)                 (6,539)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>