<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 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>                                 778,394                 778,394
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,398                  46,398
<BONDS>                                        754,937                 754,937
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (25,442)                (25,442)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   778,394                 778,394
<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>                              20,235                  57,959
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,166)                 (9,011)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                     200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,166)                 (9,211)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,166)                 (9,211)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>