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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 zB61XxUMA7lT3OKnRLzf7A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893046-06-000011.txt : 20060504
<SEC-HEADER>0000893046-06-000011.hdr.sgml : 20060504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060504160916
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893046-06-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060401
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060504
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060504

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RENT WAY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000893046
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359]
		IRS NUMBER:				251407782
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RENTWAY PLACE
		CITY:			ERIE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			16505
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8144555378

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RENTWAY PLACE
		CITY:			ERIE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			16505

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RENT WAY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000893046
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22026
		FILM NUMBER:		06808491

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RENTWAY PLACE
		CITY:			ERIE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			16505
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8144555378

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RENTWAY PLACE
		CITY:			ERIE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			16505
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f3050406_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-04-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000893046</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RENT WAY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RWY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000893046</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RENT WAY INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE RENTWAY PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ERIE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>16505</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec VP of Strategic Planning</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Rent-Way, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3929</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by IRA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Rent-Way, Inc. Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-04-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-04-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Rent-Way, Inc. Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">33 1/3% vests on and after the third anniversary of grant date of the option; 33 1/3% vests on and after the fourth
 anniversary of the grant date of the option; 33 1/3% vests on the fifth anniversary of the grant date of the option.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restrictions on Transfer:  The shares received on exercise of the Option will not be transferable except as follows:  33 1/3%
 on and after the third anniversary of the grant date of the option; 33 1/3% on and after the fourth anniversary of the grant
 date of the option; 33 1/3% on and after the fifth anniversary of the grant date of the option.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Roger L. Zwingler</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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