<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, 2000
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-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          13,514                  13,514
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,440                  68,440
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,040)                 (4,040)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,428                  82,428
<PP&E>                                         736,127                 736,127
<DEPRECIATION>                                 158,278                 158,278
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 771,789                 771,789
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,206                  48,206
<BONDS>                                        745,776                 745,776
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (24,370)                (24,370)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   771,789                 771,789
<SALES>                                         99,163                 196,748
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                99,163                 196,748
<CGS>                                           63,083                 128,169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,083                 128,169
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,300                  38,699
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,467                  37,724
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,687)                 (7,844)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       100                     200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,787)                 (8,044)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,787)                 (8,044)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>