<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RENTAL SERVICE CORPORATION AS OF MARCH 31,
1998 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS<F1>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       4,462,000               1,578,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               69,120,000              25,655,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,630,000               2,811,000
<INVENTORY>                                 35,825,000              10,515,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                     522,341,000             211,094,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              77,969,000              34,935,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             864,876,000             267,543,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                    433,140,000             101,624,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       204,000                 114,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 307,036,000              96,607,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               864,876,000             267,543,000
<SALES>                                     38,484,000              13,782,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           108,663,000              41,309,000
<CGS>                                       29,193,000               9,709,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               81,727,000              30,331,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             9,340,000               5,030,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               428,000                 446,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,583,000               1,597,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,585,000               3,905,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,101,000               1,722,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,484,000               2,183,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                 534,000
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,484,000               1,649,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27                     .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27                     .14
        
<FN> 
<F1> The financial data schedule for the three months ended 3/31/97 is restated
     to conform its presentation to the requirements of FAS #128.
</FN>

</TABLE>