<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
ServiceMaster quarterly report to shareholders for the period ended June 30,
2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 47,477 53,934
<SECURITIES> 54,096 55,713
<RECEIVABLES> 676,978 618,728
<ALLOWANCES> 40,233 43,608
<INVENTORY> 98,981 82,586
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,099,489 984,584
<PP&E> 678,864 629,912
<DEPRECIATION> 357,795 320,265
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,148,534 3,809,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 929,658 845,811
<BONDS> 1,852,419 1,644,961
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 3,057 3,115
<OTHER-SE> 1,245,422 1,190,249
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,148,534 3,809,179
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,972,864 2,652,136
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,316,934 2,068,652
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 418,631 448,217
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 67,545 50,838
<INCOME-PRETAX> 186,765 93,699
<INCOME-TAX> 78,383 40,055
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 108,382 53,644
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 108,382 53,644
<EPS-BASIC> 0.36 0.18
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.35 0.17
</TABLE>