<PAGE>
The ServiceMaster Company
One ServiceMaster Way
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
February 11, 1999
FORM AW--VIA EDGAR
- ------------------
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: The ServiceMaster Company
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement
Registration No. 333-70191
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of The ServiceMaster Company (the "Company") we are hereby making
an application to withdraw Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration
Statement (Registration No. 333-70191) of the Company filed on February 10, 1999
(the "Registration Statement").
We were informed by the Chicago office of R.R. Donnelley Financial
yesterday after the Registration Statement was filed that there occurred an
electronic transmission error in such filing (such filing agent accidentally
omitted and did not file pages i-v, which pages follow the cover page and
precede the summary section of the Registration Statement). The Company
therefore requests the withdrawal of the Registration Statement and filed
herewith is complete version of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration
Statement with the above described omitted pages included.
If you should have any questions about this withdrawal and refiling, please
call either the undersigned at (630) 271-2774 or Donald E. Batterson of Kirkland
& Ellis at (312) 861-2029. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Lisa Tamborini
Lisa Tamborini
