STAFFMARK INC
S-3, 1998-04-29
HELP SUPPLY SERVICES
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<PAGE>   1

     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 29, 1998
                                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO.  333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    ---------

                                    FORM S-3
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                   ----------

                                 STAFFMARK, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               DELAWARE                                    71-0788538
     (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

                              302 EAST MILLSAP ROAD
                          FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72703
                                 (501) 973-6000
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                             ----------------------

                             GORDON Y. ALLISON, ESQ.
                   EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - GENERAL COUNSEL
                                 STAFFMARK, INC.
                              302 EAST MILLSAP ROAD
                          FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72703
                                 (501) 973-6000
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ----------------------

    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: From time to
time after this Registration Statement becomes effective on dates, at times and
on terms not currently determined.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plan, check the following box. [X]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

====================================================================================================================================
  Title of each class of securities           Amount to                Proposed                 Proposed                Amount of
          To be registered                  be registered          maximum offering         maximum aggregate       registration fee
                                                                    price per share          offering price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                       <C>                      <C>                      <C>                     <C>          
Common Stock, $.01 par value               741,508 Shares              $39.53(1)               $29,311,811(1)         $6,101(1)(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) and (h) and based on the average of the high and low prices of
the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on April 27, 1998.
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the Prospectus included in this
(2) Registration Statement is a combined prospectus and relates to Registration
Statement No. 333-34833 previously filed by the registrant on Form S-1 and
declared effective on September 10, 1997. This Registration Statement , which
is a new registration statement, also constitutes Post-effective Amendment No.
1 to Registration Statement No. 333-34833 and such Post-effective Amendment No.
1 shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the effectiveness of this
Registration Statement in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act of
1933. A registration fee of $3,164 was paid upon the filing of Registration
Statement No. 333-34833 and 218,362 shares from such registration statement are
being carried forward. Therefore, the registration fee relates only to the
shares in excess of such amount.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2
                                 741,508 SHARES

                          STAFFMARK, INC. COMMON STOCK
                 -----------------------------------------------

         This Prospectus covers 741,508 shares (the "Shares") of common stock,
$.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), which may be offered by certain
stockholders (the "Selling Stockholders") of StaffMark, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") from time to time directly or through one or more
broker-dealers, in one or more transactions on the Nasdaq National Market (the
"Nasdaq National Market"), or in negotiated transactions, in each case at prices
satisfactory to the Selling Stockholders. See " Plan of Distribution." All of
the Shares to be sold by any of the Selling Stockholders were issued pursuant to
the acquisition by the Company of various businesses which were previously owned
by the Selling Stockholders. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds
from the sale of any of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders. All expenses of
registration of the shares which may be offered hereby under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") will be paid by the Company (other
than underwriting discounts and selling commissions, and fees and expense of
advisers to the Selling Stockholders).

         As of April 27, 1998 the Company had 19,588,445 shares of its Common
Stock outstanding. The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "STAF." On April 27, 1998, the last reported sale price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $39.25 per share.

         See "RISK FACTORS" beginning on page 3 of this Prospectus for a
discussion of certain factors that should be considered by prospective
purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby.
                              --------------------

         THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                              --------------------

                                  May __, 1998


<PAGE>   3


                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the information requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza Building,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its regional
offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048,
and CitiCorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such materials may be obtained from the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Commission maintains an Internet Web site that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that
file electronically with the Commission. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov.

         The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further
information with respect to the Company and such Common Stock, reference is made
to such Registration Statement and exhibits. A copy of the Registration
Statement on file with the commission may be obtained from the Commission's
principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of the fees prescribed by the
Commission or through the Commission's Internet Web site.

        The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market.
Proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can also be
inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, 1735 K Street,
Washington, D.C. 20006.

                     INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the
Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

         (i)   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
               ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 0-20971) filed with the
               Commission on March 13, 1998;

         (ii)  The Company's Form 8-K/A filed on January 16, 1998 with respect
               to the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 21, 1997;

         (iii) The Company's Form 8-K filed on January 23, 1998 and the Form
               8-K/A related thereto filed on March 16, 1998;

         (iv)  The Company's Form 8-K filed on February 23, 1998; and

         (v)   The description of the Common Stock, contained in the Company's
               registration statement on Form 8-A, (File No. 0-20971), filed on
               September 17, 1996, pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

         All reports and other documents filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the
offering of the shares shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference
and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

         Any statement contained herein in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by


                                       2
<PAGE>   4

reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

         The Company will furnish without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated
herein or in the Registration Statement by reference (other than exhibits to
such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
in such documents). All requests for such information should be directed to:
StaffMark, Inc., 302 East Millsap Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703, Attention:
Gordon Y. Allison, Executive Vice President - General Counsel; telephone (501)
973-6000.


                                  RISK FACTORS

         An investment in the Shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus
involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained
in this Prospectus, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in
evaluating the Company and its business before purchasing shares of the Common
Stock offered hereby.

        ABILITY TO ACHIEVE AND MANAGE GROWTH; ACQUISITION RISKS. The Company has
experienced significant growth, principally through acquisitions, internal
growth and opening new offices. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to expand its market presence in its current locations or successfully
enter other markets through acquisitions or the opening of new offices. The
Company's ability to continue its growth and profitability will depend on a
number of factors, including the availability of capital to fund acquisitions,
existing and emerging competition, the ability to maintain sufficient profit
margins despite pricing pressures and the strength of demand for temporary
employees in the Company's markets. The Company must also manage costs in a
changing regulatory environment, adapt its infrastructure and systems to
accommodate growth and recruit and train additional qualified personnel.
Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions or
integrate acquired businesses into its operations. Once integrated, acquisitions
may not achieve comparable levels of revenue, profitability or productivity as
the Company's existing locations or otherwise perform as expected. Acquisitions
also involve special risks, including risks associated with unanticipated
problems, liabilities and contingencies, diversion of management attention and
possible adverse effects on earnings resulting from increased goodwill
amortization, increased interest costs, the issuance of additional securities
and difficulties related to the integration of the acquired business. The
Company is unable to predict whether or when any prospective acquisition
candidate will become available or the likelihood that any acquisition will be
completed.

         EFFECT OF FLUCTUATIONS IN THE GENERAL ECONOMY. Demand for the Company's
staffing services is significantly affected by the general level of economic
activity and unemployment in the United States. When economic activity
increases, temporary employees are often added before full-time employees are
hired. However, as economic activity slows, many companies reduce their
utilization of temporary employees prior to undertaking layoffs of full-time
employees. In addition, the Company may experience more competitive pricing
pressure during periods of economic downturn. Therefore, any significant
economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.

        FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS; FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS.
The Company's operating results have fluctuated in the past and will fluctuate
in the future based on many factors. These factors include, among others,
changes in the regulatory environment, failure to adequately integrate acquired
companies, fluctuations in the general economy, increased competition, the
opening of new branch offices, changes in operating expenses, expenses related
to acquisitions, and the potential adverse effect of acquisitions. Due to these
and any unforeseen factors, it is likely that in some future quarter the
Company's operating results will be below the expectations of public market
analysts and investors. In such an event, the price of the Common Stock would
likely be materially adversely affected. In view of the Company's recent
significant growth, the Company believes that period-to-period 


                                       3
<PAGE>   5

comparisons of its financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should
not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Because the Company
only derives revenue when its temporary associates, consultants and
professionals are actually working, its operating results are adversely affected
when client facilities close due to holidays or inclement weather. The Company
generally experiences lower revenues, operating income and net income during the
first and fourth quarters due to certain holidays, weather conditions and
seasonal vacation patterns.

        DEPENDENCE ON AVAILABILITY OF QUALIFIED TEMPORARY PERSONNEL. The Company
depends on its ability to attract, train and retain personnel who possess the
skills and experience necessary to meet the staffing requirements of its
clients. Competition for individuals with proven skills in certain areas,
particularly in the professional/information technology and specialty niche
fields, is intense. The Company competes in several markets in which
unemployment is relatively low thereby increasing competition for employees. The
Company must continually evaluate, train and upgrade its base of available
personnel to keep pace with clients' needs. There can be no assurance that
qualified personnel will continue to be available to the Company in sufficient
numbers and on terms of employment acceptable to the Company. The inability to
attract and retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

        COMPETITIVE MARKET. The temporary staffing industry is highly
competitive, with limited barriers to entry. The Company competes for employees
and clients in national, regional and local markets with full-service and
specialized temporary staffing service businesses. A significant number of
competitors have greater marketing, financial and other resources and more
established operations than the Company. Price competition in the staffing
industry is intense, particularly for the provision of commercial personnel and
pricing pressures from competitors and customers are increasing. The Company
expects that the level of competition will remain high in the future, which
could limit the Company's ability to maintain or increase its market share or
maintain or increase gross margins, either of which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.

        INCREASED EMPLOYEE COSTS. The Company is required to pay unemployment
insurance premiums and workers' compensation for its temporary employees.
Unemployment insurance premiums may increase as a result of, among other things,
increased levels of unemployment and the lengthening periods for which
unemployment benefits are available. Workers' compensation costs may increase as
a result of changes in the Company's experience rating or applicable laws.
Although management believes its workers' compensation coverage amounts are
adequate, there can be no assurance that the Company's actual future workers'
compensation claims will not exceed the coverage amounts. The Company's workers'
compensation insurance premiums are subject to retroactive increases based upon
audits of the Company's employee classification practices and other data
provided to the insurance carrier. The Company has retained the services of an
independent third-party administrator and an independent actuary to assist the
Company in establishing appropriate reserves for the uninsured portion of claims
(up to the deductible amount), but such reserves are only estimates of future
payments relating to claims and are based upon limited prior experience.
Although management believes its recorded reserve is adequate, there can be no
assurance that the Company's actual future workers' compensation obligations
will not exceed the amount of its workers' compensation reserve. The Company may
incur costs related to workers' compensation claims at a higher rate due to such
causes as higher than anticipated losses from known claims or an increase in the
number and severity of new claims.

         INTANGIBLE ASSETS. As of December 31, 1997, approximately $173 million,
or 69%, of the Company's total assets were intangible assets. These intangible
assets primarily represent amounts attributable to goodwill recorded in
connection with the Company's acquisitions. Any impairment in the value of such
assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
and results of operations.

        RISK OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. The Company's
costs could increase if there are any material changes in government
regulations. Recent federal and certain state legislative proposals have
included provisions extending health insurance benefits to employees not

                                       4
<PAGE>   6

presently receiving such benefits. Due to the wide variety of national and state
proposals currently under consideration, the impact of such proposals cannot be
predicted. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase
the fees charged to its clients in a timely manner and sufficient amount to
cover increased costs related to any new benefits that may be extended to
temporary employees. It is not possible to predict whether other legislation or
regulations affecting the Company's operations will be proposed or enacted at
the federal or state level.

        GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF IMMIGRATION. Certain of the Company's
Professional/IT consultants are foreign nationals working in the United States
under H-1B permits. Accordingly, both the Company and these foreign nationals
must comply with United States immigration laws. The inability of the Company to
obtain H-1B permits for certain of its employees in sufficient quantities or at
a sufficient rate could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, Congress
and administrative agencies with jurisdiction over immigration matters have
periodically expressed concerns over the levels of legal and illegal immigration
into the U.S. These concerns have often resulted in proposed legislation, rules
and regulations aimed at reducing the number of work permits that may be issued.
Any changes in such laws making it more difficult to hire foreign nationals or
limiting the ability of the Company to retain foreign employees could require
the Company to incur additional unexpected labor costs and expenses. Any such
restrictions or limitations on the Company's hiring practices could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.

        INDUSTRY RISKS. Providers of temporary staffing services generally place
their employees in the workplace of other businesses. An attendant risk of such
activity includes possible claims of discrimination and harassment, employment
of illegal aliens and other similar claims. Management has adopted and
implemented policies and guidelines to reduce the Company's exposure to these
risks. However, a failure by any Company employee to follow these policies and
guidelines may result in negative publicity, injunctive relief and the
assessment against the Company of damages or fines. Moreover, in certain
circumstances, the Company may be held responsible for the actions at a
workplace of persons not under the direct control of the Company. Temporary
staffing providers are also affected by fluctuations in the business of their
clients. Interruptions in the business of its clients can adversely affect the
Company's business. For example, inclement weather or natural disasters, which
may require clients to close or reduce their hours of operation, could adversely
affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

        RISKS RELATED TO ACQUISITION FINANCING. The Company currently intends to
continue to finance future acquisitions by using cash and shares of the
Company's Common Stock for all or a portion of the consideration to be paid. In
the event that the Common Stock does not maintain a sufficient market value, or
potential acquisition candidates are unwilling to accept the Company's Common
Stock as part of the consideration for their businesses, the Company may be
required to utilize its cash resources, if available, in order to initiate and
maintain its acquisition program. If the Company does not have sufficient cash
resources to pursue acquisitions, its growth could be limited unless it is able
to obtain additional capital through debt or equity financing. Although the
Company has established a $175 million credit facility, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all the financing it will need
in the near future on terms the Company deems acceptable. The inability to
acquire such financing, if needed, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

        RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company is highly dependent on its
management. The Company believes that its success will depend to a significant
extent upon the efforts and abilities of the key executives of the Company.
Furthermore, the Company will likely be dependent on the senior management of
companies that may be acquired in the future. If any of these individuals are
unable to continue in their position with the Company, or if the Company is
unable to attract and retain other skilled employees, the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected.

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<PAGE>   7


        POTENTIAL LIABILITY AND INSURANCE; LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. The provision of
Professional/IT services, Specialty Medical and clinical trials services entails
an inherent risk of professional malpractice and other similar claims. The
Company maintains insurance coverage that it believes is adequate both as to
risks and amounts. The Company believes that such insurance will extend to
professional liability claims that may be asserted against temporary associates
and consultants of the Company. In the ordinary course of its business, the
Company is periodically threatened with or named as a defendant in various
lawsuits, including discrimination and harassment and other similar claims,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.

         DIVIDEND POLICY; RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENT. The Company anticipates that
for the foreseeable future its earnings will be retained for the operation and
expansion of its business and that it will not pay cash dividends. In addition,
the Company's credit facility limits the payment of cash dividends without the
lender's consent.

        VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. From time to time, there may be significant
volatility in the market price for the Common Stock. Quarterly operating results
of the Company or of other temporary staffing companies, changes in general
conditions in the economy, the financial markets or the staffing industry,
natural disasters or other developments could cause the market price of the
Common Stock to fluctuate substantially. In addition, in recent years the stock
market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility
has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities issued by many
companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance.

         ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS. The Board of
Directors of the Company is empowered to issue preferred stock in one or more
series without stockholder action. The existence of this "blank-check" preferred
stock provision could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain
control of the Company by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or
otherwise. Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may also
discourage takeover attempts that have not been approved by the Board of
Directors.

         FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. This Prospectus and documents incorporated
herein by reference contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements made with respect to the results of operations and businesses of the
Company. When used in this Prospectus, the words "may," "should," "believe,"
"anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "provide," "meet,"
establish," "pursue," "feel," "work," "perform," make," "continue," "can,"
"will," "target" or the negative thereof or variations thereon and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties and are based
on management's current plans or assessments which are believed to be reasonable
as of the date of this Prospectus. These forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated, projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted
in such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following
possibilities: (i) heightened competition, including specifically the
intensification of price competition, the entry of new competitors, and new
services by new and existing competitors; (ii) failure to identify, acquire or
profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate acquired
businesses, if any, into the Company without substantial costs, delays or other
operational or financial problems; (iii) failure to obtain new customers or
retain existing customers; (iv) inability to carry out marketing and sales
plans; (v) inability to obtain capital for future internal and external growth;
(vi) loss of key executives; (vii) general economic and business conditions
which are less favorable than expected; and (viii) unanticipated changes in
industry trends. Such forward-looking statements may be found under this "Risk
Factors" section, in the documents incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus, as well as in this Prospectus generally. Actual events or results
may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as
a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set
forth herein and the matters set forth in this Prospectus generally.

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<PAGE>   8


                                  THE COMPANY 

       The Company is a leading provider of diversified staffing, professional
and consulting services to businesses, professional and service organizations,
medical niches and governmental agencies. The Company offers its services
through over 190 branches located in 29 states, Canada, the United Kingdom, and
South Africa. On October 2, 1996, simultaneously with the closing of the initial
public offering (the "Initial Public Offering") of its Common Stock, StaffMark
acquired, in separate merger transactions (the "Mergers"), Brewer Personnel
Services, Inc. ("Brewer"), Prostaff Personnel, Inc. and its related entities
("Prostaff"), Maxwell Staffing, Inc. and its related entities ("Maxwell"), HRA,
Inc. ("HRA"), First Choice Staffing, Inc. ("First Choice"), and Blethen
Temporaries, Inc. and its related entities ("Blethen") (such entities are
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Founding Companies"). At the time of
the Initial Public Offering and the Mergers, the Founding Companies had on
average operated for over 13 years in eight states through over 90 branch
offices. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 302 East
Millsap Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703, telephone (501) 973-6000. Unless
otherwise indicated, the term "Company" includes StaffMark, Inc. and its
subsidiaries.

       The Company's staffing, professional and consulting services are provided
through the following three divisions:

       Commercial Division. The Commercial division provides clerical and light
industrial staffing services. The Company's clerical services personnel include
secretarial, word processing personnel, receptionist/switchboard operators,
typists, data entry operators, cashiers, client service representatives,
medical/legal transcriptionists, file clerks and other miscellaneous office
personnel. Light industrial services personnel include warehouse workers,
maintenance workers, electronics assemblers, quality control clerks, order
pullers, food service workers, production workers, shipping/receiving clerks,
janitors, packagers, inventory clerks, textile manufacturers and machinists.

       Professional/IT Division. The Professional/IT division provides
information technology staffing, consulting and support services and
professional and technical services. Information technology services include
systems planning and design, project management, software applications
development, systems and network implementation, distributed services, systems
integration and higher-level contract programming services, facilities
management, SAP development and implementation, system maintenance, computer
troubleshooting, outsourcing of legacy systems, Internet development, mainframe
programming, "help-desk" assistance and education and training. Within the
Professional/IT division, the Company also provides technical services personnel
such as drafters, designers and engineers in the mechanical and electrical
engineering and computer science fields, in addition to providing accounting
personnel, lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants and sales, marketing and human
resource professionals. The information technology services platform within the
Professional/IT division recently began operating under the brand name
"IntelliMark."

     Specialty Niche Division. The Specialty Niche division provides clinical
trial support services, medical office staffing, physical and occupational
therapists and speech pathologists. The Company's clinical consultants support
the staffing demands of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and
medical and clinical research data industries. The Company recruits, both
domestically and internationally, trained physical therapists, occupational
therapists and speech pathologists to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
The Company also provides complete physical therapy management and staffing
services to outpatient clinics as well as to rural and suburban acute care
hospitals. The Company also provides front office and clinical support for
physicians, medical offices and clinics in select markets.

         The Company has grown both internally and through the acquisition of
additional staffing and professional service companies. The Company believes
that a balance of internal growth and selective acquisitions will best allow the
Company to capitalize on its growth opportunities.


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<PAGE>   9


                                USE OF PROCEEDS 

       The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
Shares offered by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to this Prospectus.

                             SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of the Company as of April 24, 1998 and
as adjusted to reflect the sale of Common Stock offered pursuant to this
Prospectus by each of the Selling Stockholders. Such information has been
provided to the Company by the Selling Stockholders.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        
                                   SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED                                SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED        
SELLING STOCKHOLDER:                PRIOR TO THE OFFERING          SHARES OFFERED HEREBY       AFTER THE OFFERING
- -------------------                 ------------------------       ---------------------    --------------------------  
<S>                                        <C>                             <C>                       <C>
     Bob Rule(1)                           125,000                         125,000                   -0-
     Greg Bissmeyer(1)                       2,862                           2,862                   -0-
     Paul Sharps(2)                         90,500                          90,500                   -0-
     Joe Garcia(3)                          60,921                          60,921                   -0-
     Jeff Brady(4)                          59,424                          59,424                   -0-
     Lynn Brady(4)                          57,093                          57,093                   -0-
     Philip B. Rowe(5)                      88,183                          88,183                   -0-
     Steven R. Engorn(5)                    88,183                          88,183                   -0-
     Joan Floyd(6)                          84,671                          84,671                   -0-
     Glen Floyd, Sr.(6)                     84,671                          84,671                   -0-
</TABLE>


(1)  Mr. Rule and Mr. Bissmeyer received their Shares of Common Stock offered
     hereby in connection with the acquisition by the Company of The Baker
     Street Group, Inc.

(2)  Mr. Sharps received his Shares of Common Stock offered hereby in connection
     with the acquisition by the Company of Global Dynamics, Inc.

(3)  Mr. Garcia received his Shares of Common Stock offered hereby in connection
     with the acquisition by the Company of Longhorn Employment Services, Inc.

(4)  Mr. and Mrs. Brady received their Shares of Common Stock offered hereby in
     connection with the acquisition by the Company of FirstChoice Temporary
     Staffing, Inc.

(5)  Messrs. Rowe and Engorn received their Shares of Common Stock offered
     hereby in connection with the acquisition of DPSC Technology Consultants,
     Inc.

(6)  Mr. and Mrs. Floyd received their Shares of Common Stock offered hereby in
     connection with the acquisition of Tempway Services, Inc.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The Shares may be sold from time to time by the Selling Stockholders or
their pledgees, distributees or donees. Such sales may be made from time to time
on the Nasdaq National Market or in other ways not involving market-makers or
established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales
affected through agents, at prices and at terms then prevailing, at prices
related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions. The
Shares may be sold by one or more of the following: (a) a block trade in which
the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the Shares as agent, but
may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction; (b) purchases by a broker or



                                       8
<PAGE>   10

dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its own account
pursuant this Prospectus; (c) by bona fide pledgees of Shares pursuant to loan
and pledge agreements with the Selling Stockholders; and (d) ordinary brokerage
transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers. In effecting sales,
brokers or dealers may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate.
Brokers or dealers will receive commissions or discounts in amounts to be
negotiated by the Selling Stockholders.

         The Shares may also be publicly offered through agents, underwriters or
dealers. In such event, the Selling Stockholders may enter into agreements with
respect to any such offering. Such underwriters, dealers or agents may receive
compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions
from the Selling Stockholders and any such underwriters, dealers or agents that
participate in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to be underwriters,
and any profit on the sale of the Shares by them and any discounts, commissions
or concessions received by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.

         In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, sales of
the Shares to the public in such states may be made only through broker-dealers
who are registered or licensed in such states. Sales of the Shares must also be
made by the Selling Stockholders in compliance with other applicable state
securities laws and regulations. In addition, any of the Shares covered by this
Prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act
may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this Prospectus. Mr. Sharps
has agreed not to sell any of his Shares until after April 4, 1999. Mr. Sharps
may, however, pledge his Shares as collateral for personal indebtedness.

         Mr. and Mrs. Brady have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of
their Shares of Common Stock until financial results covering at least thirty
(30) days of the Company's and FirstChoice Temporary Staffing, Inc.'s combined
operations have been publicly reported. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Engorn have agreed not
to sell or otherwise dispose of their Shares of Common Stock until financial
results covering at least thirty (30) days of the Company's and DPSC Consultant
Technology, Inc.'s combined operations have been publicly reported. Mr. and Mrs.
Floyd have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of their Shares of Common
Stock until financial results covering at least thirty (30) days of the
Company's and Tempway Services, Inc.'s combined operations have been publicly
reported.

                                       9
<PAGE>   11
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

         The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 26,000,000 shares of
Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"). As of April 27, 1998 the Company had 19,588,445 shares
of the Common Stock outstanding and no shares of the Preferred Stock
outstanding. At its Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently scheduled for May
8, 1998, the Company is requesting its stockholders to approve a proposed
amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase its
authorized capital stock as follows: (i) the Common Stock from 26,000,000
authorized shares to 200,000,000 authorized shares; and the Preferred Stock from
1,000,000 authorized shares to 10,000,000 authorized shares.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The validity of the issuance of the Shares of Common Stock offered by
this Prospectus has been passed upon for the Company by Gordon Y. Allison,
Executive Vice President - General Counsel of the Company. Mr. Allison is a
full-time employee of the Company. Mr. Allison holds options to purchase 45,000
shares of the Common Stock.

                                     EXPERTS

       The Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 1997, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to Form 10-K,
have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by
reference and reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving such
reports.





                                       10
<PAGE>   12



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
THE DATE HEREOF.




                                 ---------------





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                       PAGE
                                                                       ----
Available Information....................................................... 2
Incorporation of Documents by Reference..................................... 2
Risk Factors................................................................ 3
The Company................................................................. 7
Use of Proceeds............................................................. 8
Selling Stockholders........................................................ 8
Plan of Distribution........................................................ 8
Description of Capital Stock................................................10
Legal Matters...............................................................10
Experts.....................................................................10


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                 741,508 SHARES



                                 STAFFMARK, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                                 $.01 PAR VALUE




                                 ---------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 ---------------





                                  May __, 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   13







                                     PART II

                  ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS USED AND NOT DEFINED IN
                PART II OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL HAVE
                          THE MEANINGS ASSIGNED TO THEM
       IN THE PROSPECTUS WHICH FORMS A PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

         The following table sets forth the expenses in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement, exclusive of those expenses
to be borne by the Selling Stockholders. All of such amounts (except the SEC
Registration Fee) are estimated.

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                       <C>
    SEC Registration Fee............................................................................      $     6,267
    Blue Sky Fees and Expenses......................................................................              500
    Accounting Fees and Expenses....................................................................            1,000
    Legal Fees and Expenses.........................................................................            1,000
    Printing and Engraving Costs....................................................................            3,000
    Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses................................................................            3,000
    Miscellaneous...................................................................................            1,000
                                                                                                          -----------
                                                                                                          $    15,767
           Total....................................................................................      ===========
</TABLE>


ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall, to the fullest
extent permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, as amended from time to time, indemnify all persons whom it may
indemnify pursuant thereto.

          Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorney's
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably
incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by
third parties by reason of the fact that the directors, officers, employee or
agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was
unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the
corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection
with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a
matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall
have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that
the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such
adjudication of liability.

          The Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that
the Company's directors will not be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary
duty as directors except (a) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which makes
directors liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions or (d) for transactions from which directors derive improper
personal benefit.

          In accordance with Delaware law, the Company has entered into
indemnification agreements with its executive officers and directors, pursuant
to which it will agree to pay certain expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred by such directors in
connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings. These agreements require
directors to repay the amount of any expenses advanced if it shall be determined
that they shall not have been entitled to indemnification.


                                      II-1
<PAGE>   14

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

        (a)     Exhibits

        EXHIBIT
        NUMBER               DESCRIPTION
        ------               -----------
        4.1                  Form of Certificate evidencing ownership of Common
                             Stock of StaffMark, Inc. (Incorporated by reference
                             to Exhibit 4.1 to the registration Statement on 
                             Form S-1 (File No. 333-07513) of the Company.

        5.1                  Opinion of Gordon Y. Allison, Esq.

        23.1                 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

        23.3                 Consent of Gordon Y. Allison, Esq. (contained in 
                             Exhibit 5.1)

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

(a)     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
        made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                  (i)   To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3)
                        of the Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                        after the effective date of the registration statement
                        (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                        which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
                        fundamental change in the information set forth in the
                        registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                        any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
                        (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
                        not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
                        from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
                        offering range may be reflected in the form of
                        prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                        424(b), if in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
                        price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
                        aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
                        of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                        statement;

                  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
                        plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
                        registration statement or any material change to such
                        information in the registration statement;

        provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
        if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
        by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
        Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
        registration statement.

        (2)       That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
        deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
        offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
        be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)       To remove from registration by means of a post-effective 
        amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
        the termination of the offering.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   15


(b)     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
        determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
        of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
        each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
        Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
        incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
        to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
        therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
        deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
        Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
        persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
        otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
        Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
        public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
        In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
        (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid
        by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
        successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
        such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
        securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
        of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
        submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
        indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
        and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



                                      II-3
<PAGE>   16





                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Fayetteville, State of Arkansas, on April 28, 1998.


                                         STAFFMARK, INC.




                                         By: /s/  CLETE T. BREWER
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                  Clete T. Brewer
                                                  President and Chief Executive
                                                  Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT APPEARS BELOW
HEREBY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS CLETE T. BREWER, TERRY C. BELLORA AND GORDON Y.
ALLISON, AND EACH OF THEM, AS HIS TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEY-IN-FACT AND AGENT,
WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, TO SIGN ON HIS OR HER BEHALF INDIVIDUALLY AND
IN THE CAPACITY STATED BELOW AND TO PERFORM ANY ACTS NECESSARY TO BE DONE IN
ORDER TO FILE ALL AMENDMENTS AND POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS TO THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT, AND ANY AND ALL INSTRUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR THE AMENDMENTS THERETO AND EACH
OF THE UNDERSIGNED DOES HEREBY RATIFY AND CONFIRM ALL THAT SAID ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
AND AGENT, OR HIS SUBSTITUTES, SHALL DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY VIRTUE HEREOF.

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              NAME                                       Title                           Date
              ----                                       -----                           ----     
<S>                                            <C>                                   <C>
      /s/ CLETE T. BREWER                      President, Chief Executive            April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------          Officer and Director  
          Clete T. Brewer                         (Principal Executive
                                                        Officer)

     /s/ TERRY C. BELLORA                      Chief Financial Officer               April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------       (Principal Financial and   
         Terry C. Bellora                         Accounting Officer)

     /s/ JERRY T. BREWER                       Chairman of the Board                 April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
         Jerry T. Brewer

    /s/  W. DAVID BARTHOLOMEW                  Executive Vice President              April 28, 1998 
- ----------------------------------------       -- Eastern Operations and 
         W. David Bartholomew                         Director      

    /s/ STEVEN E. SCHULTE                      Executive Vice President              April 28, 1998 
- ----------------------------------------       -- Administration and 
        Steven E. Schulte                              Director

    /s/ JOHN H. MAXWELL, JR.                   Executive Vice President              April 28, 1998 
- ----------------------------------------       -- Medical Services and 
        John H. Maxwell, Jr.                           Director                           
</TABLE>





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   17



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              NAME                                       Title                           Date
              ----                                       -----                           ----     
<S>                                            <C>                                   <C>

    /s/ JANICE BLETHEN                         Executive Vice President              April 28, 1998 
- ----------------------------------------       -- Clinical Trials Support 
        Janice Blethen                          Services and Director

    /s/ WILLIAM T. GREGORY                     General Manager--                     April 28, 1998 
- ----------------------------------------        Carolina Region
        William T. Gregory

    /s/ WILLIAM J. LYNCH                       Director                              April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
        William J. Lynch

    /s/ R. CLAYTON McWHORTER                   Director                              April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
        R. Clayton McWhorter

    /s/ CHARLES A. SANDERS                     Director                              April 28, 1998
- ----------------------------------------
        Charles A. Sanders

</TABLE>





                                      II-5
<PAGE>   18



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
         ------            -----------
   
         4.1               Form of Certificate evidencing ownership of Common 
                           Stock of StaffMark, Inc. (Incorporated by reference
                           to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form
                           S-1 (File No. 333-07513) of the Company).

         5.1               Opinion of Gordon Y. Allison, Esq.

         23.1              Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

         23.2              Consent of Gordon Y. Allison, Esq. (contained in
                           Exhibit 5.1)




<PAGE>   1



                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                         [STAFFMARK, INC. LETTERHEAD]


StaffMark, Inc.
302 East Millsap
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Re:     Registration of Shares Pursuant to Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am the Executive Vice President-General Counsel of StaffMark, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and have acted as counsel to the Company
in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") relating to an
aggregate of 741,508 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, to be sold by certain selling shareholders of the Company.

         In so acting, I have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company, as amended, the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company and
such other documents, records, certificates and other instruments as in my
judgment are necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

         Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued by the Company and are fully paid for and
non-assessable. I render this opinion as a member of the Bar of the State of
Arkansas and the District of Columbia and express no opinion as to any law other
than the General Corporation law of the State of Delaware.

         I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of my name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am acting
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    STAFFMARK, INC.


                                    /s/ GORDON Y. ALLISON, ESQ.
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                    Executive Vice President-General Counsel







<PAGE>   1

                                  EXHIBIT 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference into the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 27, 1998,
appearing on page 20 of the StaffMark, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and to all references to our firm included in this
Registration Statement. 



                                        /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                        ------------------------------------ 
                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


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