NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES INC
10-K, 1998-11-18
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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                                                                    Page 1 of 87
                                                    Index to Exhibits on Page 16

                                    FORM 10-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                 Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended August 31,1998          Commission file number  1-3208

                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                Delaware                               58-0364900
      (State or Other Jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
      Incorporation or Organization)

            1420 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3002
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


                                 (404) 853-1000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                            Name of Each Exchange on
                      Title of Each Class Which Registered
             Common Stock ($1.00 Par Value) New York Stock Exchange

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None
                                (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

Based upon the closing  price as quoted on the New York Stock  Exchange  October
31, 1998 the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of
the registrant was $ 1,483,569,010.

The number of shares  outstanding of the  registrant's  common stock,  $1.00 par
value, was 41,426,705 shares as of October 31, 1998.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        Location in Form 10-K                           Incorporated Document
        Part I, Item 1                                  1998 Annual Report
        Part II, Items 5, 6, 7, and 8                   1998 Annual Report
        Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, and 13              1998 Proxy Statement
        Part IV, Item 14                                1998 Annual Report

<PAGE>
Page 2

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                Table of Contents


                                                                        Page No.
Part I
   Item 1.     Business                                                      3-4
   Item 2.     Properties                                                     5
   Item 3.     Legal Proceedings                                              5
   Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders            5

Part II
   Item 5.     Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
               Stockholders Matters                                           6
   Item 6.     Selected Financial Data                                        6
   Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
               and Results of Operations                                      6
   Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                    6
   Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
               and Financial Disclosure                                       6

Part III
   Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant             7
   Item 11.    Executive Compensation                                         7
   Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 7
   Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                 7

Part IV
   Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
               and Reports on Form 8-K                                      8-12

Signatures                                                                   13

Financial Statement Schedules                                              14-15

Index to Exhibits                                                            16

<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

The  registrant,  incorporated  in Delaware in 1928,  provides a wide variety of
products and services through its operating segments, as follows:
<TABLE>

      Divisions                                 Principal Products or Services                 Marketing Area
<S>                                             <C>                                           <C>

Products and services for industrial,
commercial, institutional, and healthcare
customers

TEXTILE RENTAL
    National Linen Service                       Rented napkins and table                      Principally the southern,
    National Healthcare Linen Service              linens, bed linens, bath                      southwestern, and central
    National Facility Services                     towels, bar and shop towels,                  United States.
    National Direct Source                         sterilized products, mats,
                                                   and mops

CHEMICAL
    Zep Manufacturing Company                    Chemical cleaners                             Throughout the United
    Zep Manufacturing Company of Canada            including sanitizers,                         States, Canada,
    Zep Europe                                     disinfectants, polishes, floor                Puerto Rico, Western
    Selig Chemical Industries                      finishes, degreasers, water                   Europe, and Australia.
    National Chemical                              treatments, pesticides,
                                                   insecticides, and herbicides
ENVELOPE
    Atlantic Envelope Company                    Custom business envelopes and                 South, Southwest, and Northeast.
    Allen Envelope Corporation                     courier packages and specialty
    ATENCO Filing Systems                          filing products.
    Lyon Folder Company
    Techno-Aide/Stumb Metal Products Company


Products for the construction industry

LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
    Lithonia Lighting                            Fluorescent fixtures for                      Throughout the United
                                                   commercial, industrial, and                   States, Canada,
                                                   institutional applications;                   Mexico and overseas.
                                                   high-intensity discharge
                                                   fixtures for industrial and
                                                   commercial use; architectural
                                                   outdoor lighting; downlighting;
                                                   sportslighting; track lighting;
                                                   vandal-resistant fixtures;
                                                   emergency lighting; lighting
                                                   and dimming controls; and
                                                   manufactured wiring systems 
</TABLE>
                                                   
<PAGE>
Page 4


<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>                                             <C>  

      Divisions                                 Principal Products or Services                 Marketing Area


Products and services for the consumer

CHEMICAL
Enforcer Products, Inc.                         Pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides,        Throughout the United States.
                                                  herbicides, cleaners, plumbing
                                                  pipe and sewer drain cleaners
                                                  and clog removers.

LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
    Lithonia Lighting                           Residential fluorescent, recessed              Throughout North America.
    Home-Vue Lighting                             and track lighting, and
    Light Concepts                                decorative fluorescent fixtures.
</TABLE>

Competition

While each of the registrant's businesses is highly competitive, the competitive
conditions and the registrant's  relative  position and market share vary widely
from business to business.  A limited number of the competitors of each division
are large  diversified  companies,  but most of the competitors of the divisions
are smaller  companies than the registrant.  Such smaller  companies  frequently
specialize  in one  industry or one  geographic  area,  which in many  instances
increases the intensity of  competition.  Management  believes that its Lighting
Equipment segment is the largest  manufacturer of lighting fixtures in the world
and its Textile  Rental  segment is one of the  largest  such  companies  in the
United States.

Research and Development

Company-sponsored  research  and  development  expenses  related to present  and
future products are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses were
$13.6  million,  $8.6  million,  and $8.7  million  in  1998,  1997,  and  1996,
respectively.

Raw Materials

There were no significant  shortages of materials or components during the years
ended August 31, 1998,  1997, and 1996. No one commodity or supplier  provided a
significant portion of the company's material requirements.

Total Employment

The registrant employs approximately 16,700 people.

Financial Information about Industry Segments

The  financial  information  required by this item is included on page 40 of the
company's  annual  report for the year ended August 31, 1998,  under the caption
"Business Segment Information" and is incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 5

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The general offices of the company are located in Atlanta,  Georgia.  Because of
the  diverse  nature  of the  operations  and the  large  number  of  individual
locations,  it is neither  practical  nor  significant  to  describe  all of the
operating  facilities  owned or leased by the  company.  The  following  listing
summarizes the significant facility categories by business:

                               Number of Facilities
Division                       Owned         Leased       Nature of Facilities

Lighting Equipment             7                  5       Manufacturing plants
                               1                  7       Distribution centers
                               -                 10       Field warehouses

Textile Rental                33                  8       Linen plants
                               -                 23       Linen service centers
                               -                  1       Distribution centers

Chemical                      10                  2       Manufacturing plants
                              20                 51       Distribution centers
                               -                  3       Sales offices

Envelope                       7                  5       Manufacturing plants
                               -                  2       Warehouses

Corporate Office               1                  -       Corporate headquarters


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The registrant is neither a party to nor is its property subject to any material
pending legal proceedings.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security  holders during the three months
ended August 31, 1998.
<PAGE>
Page 6

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The  information  required  by this item is included on the inside back cover of
the  company's  annual  report for the year ended  August  31,  1998,  under the
captions  "Listing,"  "Shareholders  of Record,"  and "Common  Share  Prices and
Dividends per Share" and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The  information  required  by this item is  included  on pages 46 and 47 of the
company's  annual  report for the year ended August 31, 1998,  under the caption
"Ten-Year Financial Summary" and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

The information  required by this item is included on pages 42 through 45 of the
company's  annual  report for the year ended August 31, 1998,  under the caption
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations" and is incorporated herein by reference.

From time to time, the company may publish  forward-looking  statements relating
to such  matters  as  anticipated  financial  performance,  business  prospects,
capital expenditures,  technological  developments,  new products,  research and
development  activities,  and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995  provides a safe harbor for  forward-looking  statements.  In
order to comply  with the terms of the safe  harbor,  the  company  notes that a
variety of factors could cause the company's  actual  results and  experience to
differ materially from the anticipated  results or other expectations  expressed
in the company's  forward-looking  statements.  The risks and uncertainties that
may  affect  the  operations,  performance,  development,  and  results  of  the
company's business include without limitation the following: (a) the uncertainty
of general  business and economic  conditions,  particularly the potential for a
slow down in non-residential construction awards; and (b) the ability to achieve
strategic initiatives, including but not limited to the ability to achieve sales
growth across the business segments through a combination of increased  pricing,
enhanced sales force, new products,  and improved customer  service,  as well as
share repurchases and acquisitions.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information  required by this item is included on pages 26 through 41 of the
company's  annual report for the year ended August 31, 1998,  under the captions
"Consolidated Balance Sheets," "Consolidated Statements of Income," Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders'  Equity,"  "Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows,"
"Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements," and "Report of Independent Public
Accountants" and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.
<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 7
PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this item, with respect to directors, is included on
pages 2 through 4 under the caption  "Information  Concerning  Nominees"  of the
company's  proxy  statement for the annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be held
January 6, 1999,  filed with the Commission  pursuant to Regulation  14A, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Executive officers of the company are elected at the organization meeting of the
Board of Directors in January.

<TABLE>

<S>                                                  <C>    

Name and age of each executive officer                Business experience of executive officers during the five years
and positions held with the company                   ended August 31, 1998 and term in office.



James S. Balloun, age 60                              Mr.  Balloun was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chairman, President, and                              effective February, 1996 and assumed the role of President in
Chief Executive Officer                               October, 1996.  Previously, he served McKinsey & Company as a
and Director                                          Director.

David Levy, age 61                                    Mr. Levy was elected Executive Vice President, Administration in
Executive Vice President,                             October, 1992.  He served as Senior Vice President, Secretary and
Administration and Counsel                            Counsel from 1982 through September, 1992.
and Director

Brock A. Hattox, age 50                               Mr. Hattox was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice President and                          Officer effective September, 1996.  Previously, he served McDermott
Chief Financial Officer                               International, Inc., as Chief Financial Officer since 1991 and
                                                      President of the Engineering and Construction Group since 1995.

Stewart A. Searle III, age 47                         Mr. Searle was elected Senior Vice President, Planning and
Senior Vice President,                                Development effective June, 1996.  Previously, he served four years
Planning and Development                              with Equifax as Senior Vice President of Development.

</TABLE>

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  information  required  by this item is included on pages 4 through 13 under
the captions  "Compensation  of Directors,"  "Other  Information  Concerning the
Board  and its  Committees,"  "Compensation  Committee  Interlocks  and  Insider
Participation,"  "Summary  Compensation Table," "Aggregated Option Exercises and
Fiscal Year-End Option Values," "Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year,"  "Long-Term
Incentive Plans - Awards in Last Fiscal Year," "Employment Contracts,  Severance
Arrangements,  and Other  Agreements," and "Pension and Supplemental  Retirement
Benefits"  of  the  company's   proxy   statement  for  the  annual  meeting  of
stockholders to be held January 6, 1999,  filed with the Commission  pursuant to
Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The  information  required  by this item is included on page 6 under the caption
"Beneficial  Ownership of the  Corporation's  Securities" of the company's proxy
statement  for the annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be held January 6, 1999,
filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein
by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The  information  required  by this item is included on page 5 under the caption
"Certain  Relationships  and  Transactions" of the company's proxy statement for
the annual meeting of  stockholders  to be held January 6, 1999,  filed with the
Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
Page 8

PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES,  AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

      (1)  Financial Statements

               The  company's  1998  Annual  Report  contains  the  consolidated
               balance  sheets  as of August  31,  1998 and  1997,  the  related
               consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash
               flows for each of the three years in the period  ended August 31,
               1998,  and  the  related  report  of  Arthur  Andersen  LLP.  The
               financial statements,  incorporated herein by reference,  include
               the following:

               Consolidated Balance Sheets - August 31, 1998 and 1997

               Consolidated  Statements of Income for the years ended August 31,
               1998, 1997, and 1996

               Consolidated  Statements  of  Stockholders'  Equity for the years
               ended August 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996

               Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August
               31, 1998, 1997, and 1996

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

      (2)  Financial Statement Schedules:

               Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule

           Schedule Number

               II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

               Any of  schedules I through V not listed  above have been omitted
               because they are not  applicable or the required  information  is
               included  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  or  notes
               thereto.

      (3)  Exhibits filed with this report

           Reference No. from
           Reg. 229.601
           Item 601               Description of Exhibit



          3          Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and 
                     By-Laws

          4          Amended and Restated  Rights  Agreement  dated as of 
                     December 17, 1997 between National Service Industries, Inc.
                     and Wachovia Bank, N.A. and  Amendment  (replacing  
                     Wachovia  Bank,  N.A. with First Chicago Trust Company)

          10(i)A     US$250,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of July 23, 1996 
                     among National Service  Industries,  Inc., Certain of its 
                     Subsidiaries, Certain Listed Banks,  Wachovia Bank of 
                     Georgia,  N.A., as Agent, and  Nationsbank,  N.A.  (South)
                     and Suntrust Bank,  Atlanta,  as Co-Agents

          10(iii)A   Management Contracts and Compensatory Arrangements:

                     (1)  Executives' Deferred Compensation Plan and Amendments

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 9
ITEM 14.  (Continued)

Reference No. from
Reg. 229.601
Item 601            Description of Exhibit

                    (2)  Restated and Amended  Supplemental  Retirement Plan for
                         Executives  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  ,
                         Amendments and Appendices

                    (3)  The National Service Industries, Inc. Senior Management
                         Benefit Plan and Amendments

                    (4)  Severance Protection Agreement between National Service
                         Industries, Inc. and David Levy and Amendment

                    (5)  Severance   Protection   Agreements   between  National
                         Service  Industries,  Inc. and
                         (a) James S. Balloun
                         (b) Stewart  A. Searle  III
                         (c) Brock  A. Hattox
                         and Amendments

                    (6)  Bonus  Letter   Agreements   between  National  Service
                         Industries,  Inc.  and
                         (a) James S. Balloun
                         (b) David Levy
                         (c) Stewart A. Searle III
                         (d) Brock A. Hattox
                         and Supplemental Letter Agreement

                    (7)  Long-Term Incentive Program and Amendment

                    (8)  Incentive  Stock  Option  Agreements  between  National
                         Service Industries, Inc. and
                         (a) David Levy
                         (b) Stewart A. Searle III
                         (c) Brock A. Hattox

                    (9)  Nonqualified   Stock  Option  Agreement  for  Corporate
                         Officers between National Service Industries,  Inc. and
                         (a) David Levy
                         (b) Brock A. Hattox

                    (10) Nonqualified   Stock  Option  Agreement  for  Corporate
                         Officers Effective Beginning September 21, 1994 between
                         National Service Industries, Inc. and David Levy

                    (11) Benefits Protection Trust Agreement and Amendments

                    (12) Executive Benefits Trust Agreement and Amendments

                    (13) 1992 Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan Effective
                         September 16, 1992 and Amendment









<PAGE>
Page 10

ITEM 14.  (Continued)

Reference No. from
Reg. 229.601
Item 601            Description of Exhibit

                    (14) Nonemployee  Directors' Stock Option Agreement  between
                         National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  and  
                         (a) John L.Clendenin 
                         (b) Robert M. Holder, Jr. 
                         (c) F. Ross Johnson
                         (d) James C.  Kennedy 
                         (e) Donald R. Keough 
                         (f) Bryan D. Langton 
                         (g) Bernard Marcus 
                         (h) John G. Medlin,  Jr. 
                         (i) Dr. Betty L. Siegel  
                         (j) Barrie A. Wigmore

                    (15) National Service  Industries,  Inc.  Executive  Savings
                         Plan Effective September 1, 1994 and Amendment

                    (16) Split-Dollar    Agreement   among   National    Service
                         Industries,  Inc., D. Raymond Riddle, and Wachovia Bank
                         of Georgia, N.A. Dated January 4, 1993 and Amendment

                    (17) Consulting    Agreement    between   National   Service
                         Industries, Inc. and D. Raymond Riddle

                    (18) Nonqualified  Stock Option Agreement  Effective January
                         3, 1996 between National Service  Industries,  Inc. and
                         James S. Balloun

                    (19) National Service Industries,  Inc. Nonemployee Director
                         Deferred  Stock Unit Plan,  Effective  June 1, 1996 and
                         Amendments

                    (20) Employment  Letter  Agreement  between National Service
                         Industries,  Inc. and Brock A. Hattox, Dated August 26,
                         1996

                    (21) Incentive Stock Option  Agreement  Effective  Beginning
                         September 17, 1996 between National Service Industries,
                         Inc.  and 
                         (a)  James  S.  Balloun  
                         (b)  David  Levy 
                         (c)  Stewart A. Searle III

                    (22) Nonqualified   Stock  Option  Agreement  for  Executive
                         Officers Effective Beginning September 17, 1996 between
                         National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  and
                         (a) James S. Balloun         
                         (b) David Levy 
                         (c) Stewart A.  Searle III 
                         (d) Brock A. Hattox

                    (23) National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement
                         Incentive Plan Effective September 17, 1996



<PAGE>

                                                                         Page 11
ITEM 14. (Continued)

Reference No. from
Reg. 229.601
Item 601                Description of Exhibit

                    (24) Aspiration   Achievement   Incentive  Award  Agreements
                         between National Service Industries, Inc. and
                         (a) James S.  Balloun
                         (b) Brock A.  Hattox
                         (c) David  Levy
                         (d) Stewart A. Searle III

                         [a confidential  portion of which has been omitted and 
                         filed separately with the Securities and Exchange 
                         Commission]

                    (25) National Service Industries, Inc. Supplemental Deferred
                         Savings Plan Effective September 18, 1996

                    (26) Stock Option Agreement for Nonemployee  Directors Dated
                         March 19, 1997  between  National  Service  Industries,
                         Inc. and
                         (a) John L. Clendenin
                         (b) Samuel A. Nunn

                    (27) Employment  Letter  Agreement  between National Service
                         Industries,  Inc. and James S. Balloun,  Dated
                         February 1, 1996

                         [refiled to  disclose  confidential  information 
                         previously omitted  and  filed   separately  with  the
                         Securities  and Exchange Commission]

                    (28) Incentive Stock Option  Agreement  Effective  Beginning
                         September 23, 1997 between National Service Industries,
                         Inc.  and
                         (a) James S.  Balloun
                         (b) Brock A. Hattox
                         (c) David Levy
                         (d) Stewart A. Searle III

                    (29) Nonqualified   Stock  Option  Agreement  For  Executive
                         Officers Effective Beginning September 23, 1997 between
                         National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  and
                         (a) James S.Balloun
                         (b) Brock A. Hattox
                         (c) David Levy
                         (d) Stewart A. Searle III

                    (30) Aspiration   Achievement   Incentive  Award  Agreements
                         between National Service Industries, Inc. and
                         (a) James S.  Balloun
                         (b) Brock A.  Hattox
                         (c) David  Levy
                         (d) Stewart A. Searle III

                         [a confidential  portion of which has been omitted and
                         filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
                         Commission]

                    (31) National   Service    Industries,    Inc.    Management
                         Compensation   and   Incentive   Plan  as  Amended  and
                         Restated, Effective as of September 1, 1998, Subject to
                         Approval by  Shareholders  at the Annual  Meeting to be
                         held on January 6, 1999

<PAGE>
Page 12

ITEM 14. (Continued)

Reference No. from
Reg. 229.601
Item 601                Description of Exhibit

          13   Information  Incorporated by Reference from Annual Report for the
               Year Ended August 31, 1998

          21   List of Subsidiaries

          23   Consent of Independent Public Accountants

          24   Powers of Attorney

          27   Financial Data Schedule for the Year Ended August 31, 1998

(b)  No  reports on Form 8-K were filed for the three  months  ended  August 31,
     1998.

(c)  Exhibits 2, 9, 11, 12, 18, 22, and 28 have been  omitted  because  they are
     not applicable.

(d)  Not applicable.







<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 13

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.



Date: November 18, 1998                             By:   /s/ Helen D. Haines
                                                    Helen D. Haines
                                                    Vice President and Secretary


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


    Signature                                      Title

                                    
    James S. Balloun*                      Chairman, President, and
                                           Chief Executive Officer and Director

    Brock  Hattox*                         Executive Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer

    Mark R. Bachmann*                      Vice President and Controller

    John L. Clendenin*                     Director

    Thomas C. Gallagher*                   Director

    Robert M. Holder, Jr.*                 Director

    James C. Kennedy*                      Director
                                                               November 18, 1998
    David Levy*                            Director

    Bernard Marcus*                        Director

   Charles W. McCall                       Director

    John G. Medlin, Jr.*                   Director

    Samuel A. Nunn*                        Director

    Herman J. Russell*                     Director

    Betty L. Siegel*                       Director

    Barrie A. Wigmore*                     Director
                                                                               

*By  /s/  David Levy                                      Attorney-in-Fact
      David Levy

<PAGE>
Page 14










              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON SCHEDULE




To National Service Industries, Inc.:


We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing  standards,  the
consolidated financial statements included in NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES,  INC.
and  subsidiaries'  annual report to  stockholders  incorporated by reference in
this Form 10-K,  and have issued our report  thereon dated October  9,1998.  Our
audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on those  statements  taken
as a  whole.  The  schedule  listed  in  Item  14  in  this  Form  10-K  is  the
responsibility  of the company's  management and is presented for the purpose of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated financial
statements  and, in our  opinion,  fairly  states in all  material  respects the
financial  data  required  to be set  forth  therein  in  relation  to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.




                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Atlanta, Georgia
October 9, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 15
                                                                     SCHEDULE II

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

               FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>                   <C>    

                                        Balance at                Additions Charged to                                    Balance at

                                         Beginning          Costs and              Other                                      End
        Description                      of Period          Expenses            Accounts (1)        Deductions (2)         of Period


YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998:
  Deducted in the balance sheet
    from the asset to which it applies-
      Reserve for doubtful accounts    $   4,302           $   3,558           $     214             $   3,443            $   4,631



YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997:
  Deducted in the balance sheet
    from the asset to which it applies-
      Reserve for doubtful accounts    $   5,807           $   2,276           $   (745)             $   3,036            $   4,302



YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996:
  Deducted in the balance sheet
    from the asset to which it applies-
      Reserve for doubtful accounts    $   6,467           $   2,708           $   (964)             $   2,404            $   5,807



</TABLE>




(1)  Recoveries  credited to reserve,  reserves  recorded in  acquisitions,  and
     reserves removed in sale of businesses.
(2)  Uncollectible accounts written off.



<PAGE>
Page 16
                                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
                                                                                        Page No.
<S>                                 <C>                                                 <C> 

EXHIBIT 3                           (a)Amended and Restated Certificate of              Reference is made to Exhibit 3 of
                                    Incorporation                                       registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
                                                                                        ended February 28, 1998, which is
                                                                                        incorporated herein by reference.

                                    (b)By-Laws as Amended and Restated June 21, 1989    25
                                    and Amended March 24, 1998

EXHIBIT 4                           (a)   Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated   Reference is made to Exhibit 4.1 of
                                    as of December 17, 1997 between National Service    registrant's Form 8-A/A as filed with the
                                    Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank, N.A.            Commission on December 17, 1997, which is
                                    (replacing Wachovia Bank, N.A. with First Chicago   incorporated herein by reference.
                                    Trust Company)

                                    (b) First Amendment dated as of April 30, 1998      Reference is made to Exhibit 1 of
                                    between National Service Industries, Inc. and       registrant's Form 8-A/A-3 as filed
                                    First Chicago Trust Company of New York, to the     with the Commission on June 22, 1998,
                                    Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as     which is incorporated herein by reference.
                                    of December 17, 1997 between National Service
                                    Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank, N.A

EXHIBIT 10(i)A                      US$250,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of July    Reference is made to Exhibit 10(i)A of
                                    23, 1996 among National Service Industries, Inc.,   registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
                                    Certain of its Subsidiaries, Certain Listed         ended May 31, 1998, which is incorporated
                                    Banks, Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A., as Agent,    herein by reference.
                                    and Nationsbank, N.A. (South) and Suntrust Bank,
                                    Atlanta, as Co-Agents

EXHIBIT 10(iii)A                    Management Contracts and Compensatory
                                    Arrangements:
                                    (1)    (a)Executives' Deferred Compensation Plan    Reference is made to Exhibit 19 of
                                                                                        registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal
                                                                                        year ended August 31, 1982, which is
                                                                                        incorporated herein by reference.

                                           (b)First Amendment To Executives' Deferred   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Compensation Plan, Dated September 21, 1989  10(iii)A(b)-(ii) of registrant's Form
                                                                                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1989, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                           (c)Second Amendment to Executives'           Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Deferred Compensation Plan, Effective as     10(iii)A(a) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           of September 1, 1994.                        for the quarter ended November 30,
                                                                                        1994, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (d)Amendment No. 3 to Executives' Deferred   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Compensation Plan, Dated August 31, 1996     10(iii)A(2)(d) of registrant's Form
                                                                                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.
<PAGE>
                                                                                                                         Page 17
                                                                         
                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (2)    (a)Restated and Amended Supplemental         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Retirement Plan for Executives of National   10(iii)A(c)-(i) of registrant's Form
                                           Service Industries, Inc.                     10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1993, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                           (b)Amendment to Restated and Amended         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Supplemental Retirement Plan for             10(iii)A(a) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Executives of National Service Industries,   for the quarter ended February 28,
                                           Inc.                                         1994, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.
                                           
                                           (c)Appendix B to Restated and Amended        Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Supplemental Retirement Plan for             10(iii)A(e) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Executives of National Service Industries,   for the quarter ended February 29,
                                           Inc., Effective February 1, 1996             1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.
                                           
                                           (d)Appendix C to Restated and Amended        Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Supplemental Retirement Plan for             10(iii)A(d) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Executives of National Service Industries,   for the quarter ended May 31, 1996,
                                           Inc., Effective May 31, 1996                 which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.
                                           
                                           (e)Amendment No. 2 to Restated and Amended   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Supplemental Retirement Plan for             10(iii)A(3)(e) of registrant's Form
                                           Executives of National Service Industries,   10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                           Inc., Dated August 31, 1996                  31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.
                                    
                                    (3)    (a)The National Service Industries, Inc.     Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Senior Management Benefit Plan, Dated        10(iii)A(f) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           August 15, 1985                              for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1985, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)First Amendment to National Service       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Industries, Inc. Senior Management Benefit   10(iii)A(e)-(ii) of registrant's Form
                                           Plan, Dated September 21, 1989               10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1989, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                           (c)Amendment No. 2 to National Service       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Industries, Inc. Senior Management Benefit   10(iii)A(d)(iii) of registrant's Form
                                           Plan, Dated September 16, 1994               10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1994, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                           (d)Amendment No. 3 to National Service       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Industries, Inc.  Senior Management          10(iii)A(4)(d) of registrant's Form
                                           Benefit Plan, Dated August 31, 1996          10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.





<PAGE>
Page 18
                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (4)    (a)Severance Protection Agreement between    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(h) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           David Levy                                   for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1989, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.
                                           
                                           (b)Amendment to Severance Protection         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreement between National Service           10(iii)A(5)(b) of registrant's Form
                                           Industries, Inc. and David Levy, Dated       10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                           August 31, 1996                              31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                    (5)    (a)Severance Protection Agreements between   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(c) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           (i)    James S. Balloun (February 1, 1996)   for the quarter ended February 29,
                                           (ii)   Stewart A. Searle III (June 19,       1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                           1996)                                        reference.
                                           (iii)  Brock A. Hattox (September 9, 1996)

                                           (b)Amendment to Severance Protection         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreements, Dated August 31, 1996            10(iii)A(6)(b) of registrant's Form
                                                                                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                    (6)    (a)Bonus Letter Agreements between           Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(j) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           (i)   James S. Balloun (February 1, 1996)    for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           (ii)  David Levy (October 1, 1989)           1989, and to Exhibit 10(iii)A(d) of the
                                           (iii) Stewart A. Searle III (June 19, 1996)  registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
                                           (iv)  Brock A. Hattox (September 9, 1996)    ended February 29, 1996, which are
                                                                                        incorporated herein by reference.

                                           (b)Supplemental Letter Agreement, Dated      Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           August 31 1996                               10(iii)A(7) (b) of registrant's Form
                                                                                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.

                                    (7)    (a)Long-Term Incentive Program, Dated        Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           September 20, 1989                           10(iii)A(k) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                                                                        for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1989, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)Amendment No. 1 to Long-Term Incentive    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Program, Dated September 21, 1994            10(iii)A(h)(ii)  of registrant's Form
                                                                                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1994, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.





<PAGE>
                                                                                                                     Page 19

                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (8)    Incentive Stock Option Agreements between    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(1)  of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           (a)   David Levy                             for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           (b)   Stewart A. Searle III                  1989, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (c)   Brock A. Hattox                        reference.

                                    (9)    Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for      Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Corporate Officers between National          10(iii)A(j)  of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and                 for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           (a)   David Levy                             1992, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   Brock A. Hattox                        reference.

                                    (10)   Nonqualified Stock Option agreement for      Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Corporate Officers Effective Beginning       10(iii)A(k)  of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           September 21, 1994 between National          for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and David Levy      1994, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                    (11)   (a)Benefits Protection Trust Agreement       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Dated July 5, 1990, between National         10(iii)A(n)  of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank   for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           and Trust Company                            1990, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)Amendment to Benefits Protection Trust    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreement between National Service           10(iii)A(12)(c) of registrant's Form
                                           Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank and       10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                           Trust Company and Adoption, Dated August     31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                           31, 1996                                     by reference.

                                           (c)Amendment No. 2 to Benefits Protection    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Trust Agreement between National Service     10(iii)A(3) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank and       for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           Trust Company, Dated September 23, 1997      1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (d)Amended Schedule 1 of Benefits            Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Protection Trust Agreement between           10(iii)A(4) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, Dated       1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           September 23, 1997                           reference.

                                    (12)   (a)Executive Benefits Trust Agreement        Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Dated July 5, 1990, between National         10(iii)A(o) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank   for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           and Trust Company                            1990, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.





<PAGE>
Page 20

                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                           (b)Amendment to Executive Benefits Trust     Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreement between National Service           10(iii)A(13) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Industries, Inc. and Wachovia Bank and       for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           Trust Company and Adoption, Dated August     1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                           31, 1996                                     reference.

                                           (c)Amended Schedule 1 of Executive           Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Benefits Trust Agreement between National    10(iii)A(5) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and Wachovia        for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           Bank, N.A. (formerly Wachovia Bank and       1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           Trust Company), Dated September 23, 1997     reference.

                                    (13)   (a)National Service Industries, Inc. 1992    Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan,    10(iii)A(o) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Effective September 16, 1992                 for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1992, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)First Amendment to the National Service   41
                                           Industries, Inc. 1992 Nonemployee
                                           Directors' Stock Option Plan, Dated March
                                           24, 1998

                                    (14)   Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option          Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreement between National Service           10(iii)A(q) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Industries, Inc. and                         for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                           (a)   John L. Clendenin                      1994, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   Robert M. Holder, Jr.                  reference.
                                           (c)   F. Ross Johnson
                                           (d)   James C. Kennedy
                                           (e)   Donald R. Keough
                                           (f)   Bryan D. Langton
                                           (g)   Bernard Marcus
                                           (h)   John G. Medlin, Jr.
                                           (i)   Dr. Betty L. Siegel
                                           (j)   Barrie A. Wigmore

                                    (15)   (a)National Service Industries, Inc.         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Executive Savings Plan, Effective            10(iii)A(s) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           September 1, 1994                            for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1994, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)Amendment No. 1 to National Service       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Industries, Inc. Executive Savings Plan,     10(iii)A(17)(b) of registrant's Form
                                           Dated August 31, 1996                        10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                                                                                        31, 1996, which is incorporated herein
                                                                                        by reference.




<PAGE>
                                                                                                                       Page 21

                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (16)   (a)Split-Dollar Agreement among National     Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Service Industries, Inc., D. Raymond         10(iii)A(a)(i) of registrant's Form
                                           Riddle, and Wachovia Bank of Georgia,        10-Q for the quarter ended February 28,
                                           N.A., Dated January 4, 1993                  1995, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)First Amendment to Split-Dollar           Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreement among National Service             10(iii)A(a)(ii) of registrant's Form
                                           Industries, Inc., D. Raymond Riddle, and     10-Q for the quarter ended February 28,
                                           Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A., Effective    1995, which is incorporated herein by
                                           March 30, 1995                               reference.

                                    (17)   Consulting Agreement between National        Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and D. Raymond      10(iii)A(c) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Riddle, Dated March 30, 1995                 for the quarter ended February 28,
                                                                                        1995, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                    (18)   Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement          Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Effective January 3, 1996 between National   10(iii)A(b) of  registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and James S.        for the quarter ended February 28,
                                           Balloun                                      1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                    (19)   (a)National Service Industries, Inc.         Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Nonemployee Director Deferred Stock Unit     10(iii)A(26) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Plan, Effective June 1, 1996                 for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (b)Amendment No. 1 to National Service       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Industries, Inc. Nonemployee Director        10(iii)A(6) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Deferred Stock Unit Plan, Effective          for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           December 1, 1997                             1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                           (c)Amendment No. 2 to National Service       43
                                           Industries, Inc. Nonemployee Director
                                           Deferred Stock Unit Plan, Effective
                                           December 31, 1997

                                    (20)   Employment Letter Agreement between          Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(28) of registrant's Form 10-K
                                           Brock A. Hattox, Dated August 26, 1996       for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                                                                                        1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.







<PAGE>
Page 22
                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (21)   Incentive Stock Option Agreement Effective   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Beginning September 17, 1996 between         10(iii)A(5) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   David Levy                             reference.
                                           (c)   Stewart A. Searle III

                                    (22)   Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for      Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Executive Officers Effective Beginning       10(iii)A(6) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           September 17, 1996 between National          for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and                 1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       reference.
                                           (b)   David Levy
                                           (c)   Stewart A. Searle III
                                           (d)   Brock A. Hattox

                                    (23)   National Service Industries, Inc.            Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,        10(iii)A(7) of registran's Form 10-Q
                                           Effective September 17, 1996                 for the quarter ended November 30,
                                                                                        1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                    (24)   Aspiration Achievement Incentive Award       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreements between National Service          10(iii)A(8) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Industries, Inc. and                         for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   Brock A. Hattox                        reference.
                                           (c)   David Levy
                                           (d)   Stewart A. Searle III

                                           [a confidential portion of which has been
                                           omitted and filed separately with the
                                           Securities and Exchange Commission]

                                    (25)   National Service Industries, Inc.            Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan,          10(iii)A(9) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Effective September 18, 1996                 for the quarter ended November 30,
                                                                                        1996, which is incorporated herein by
                                                                                        reference.

                                    (26)   Stock Option Agreement for Nonemployee       Reference is made to Exhibit 10(iii)A
                                           Directors Dated March 19, 1997 between       of registrant's Form 10-Q for the
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        quarter ended May 31, 1997, which is
                                           (a)   John L. Clendenin                      incorporated herein by reference.
                                           (b)   Samuel A. Nunn







<PAGE>
                                                                                                                         Page 23
                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

                                    (27)   Employment Letter Agreement between          Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        10(iii)A(2) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           James S. Balloun, Dated February 1, 1996     for the quarter ended November 30,
                                                                                        1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           [refiled to disclose confidential            reference.
                                           information previously omitted and filed
                                           separately with the Securities and
                                           Exchange Commission]

                                    (28)   Incentive Stock Option Agreement Effective   Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Beginning September 23, 1997 between         10(iii)A(7) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           National Service Industries, Inc. and        for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   Brock A. Hattox                        reference.
                                           (c)   David Levy
                                           (d)   Stewart A. Searle III

                                    (29)   Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement For      Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Executive Officers Effective Beginning       10(iii)A(8) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           September 23, 1997 between National          for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           Service Industries, Inc. and                 1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       reference.
                                           (b)   Brock A. Hattox
                                           (c)   David Levy
                                           (d)   Stewart A. Searle III

                                    (30)   Aspiration Achievement Incentive Award       Reference is made to Exhibit
                                           Agreements between National Service          10(iii)A(9) of registrant's Form 10-Q
                                           Industries, Inc. and                         for the quarter ended November 30,
                                           (a)   James S. Balloun                       1997, which is incorporated herein by
                                           (b)   Brock A. Hattox                        reference.
                                           (c)   David Levy
                                           (d)   Stewart A. Searle III

                                           [a confidential portion of which has been
                                           omitted and filed separately with the
                                           Securities and Exchange Commission]

                                    (31)   National Service Industries, Inc.            44
                                           Management Compensation and Incentive Plan
                                           as Amended and Restated, Effective as of
                                           September 1, 1998, Subject to Approval by
                                           Shareholders at the Annual Meeting to be
                                           held on January 6, 1999

EXHIBIT 13                                 Information Incorporated by Reference from   51
                                           Annual Report for the Year Ended August
                                           31, 1998

EXHIBIT 21                                 List of Subsidiaries                         73

EXHIBIT 23                                 Consent of Independent Public Accountants    74
<PAGE>
Page 24
                                                        INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                                        Page No.

EXHIBIT 24                                 Powers of Attorney                           75

EXHIBIT 27                                 Financial Data Schedule for the Year Ended   87
                                           August 31, 1998



</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 25
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)
        
                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                    BY - LAWS

       (as amended and restated June 21, 1989 and amended March 24, 1998)

                            (A Delaware Corporation)


                                   ARTICLE ONE
                                OFFICES AND AGENT


     1.1 Registered  Office and Agent. The registered  office of the Corporation
within the State of Delaware shall be in the City of  Wilmington,  County of New
Castle,  and  the  name  of  the  registered  agent  in  charge  thereof  is The
Corporation Trust Company.

     1.2 Other Offices. In addition to its registered office within the State of
Delaware,  the  Corporation  may also have  offices at such other  places,  both
within and without the State of Delaware,  as the Board of Directors  may,  from
time to time  determine or the business of the  Corporation  may require or make
desirable.


                                   ARTICLE TWO
                             STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS


     2.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of
directors or for any other  purpose  shall be held at any place either within or
without the State of Delaware  as shall be  designated  from time to time by the
Board of Directors  or, if it fails to act, the Chairman of the Board,  or if he
fails to act, the  President,  and shall be stated in the notice of meeting or a
duly executed waiver thereof.

     2.2 Quorum,  Adjournment.  The holders of  one-third of the voting power of
the stock of the  Corporation  issued and  outstanding and entitled to vote at a
meeting  of  stockholders,  present  in person or  represented  by proxy,  shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the  stockholders  for the transaction of
business except as otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law or
by the Corporation's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time
to time  ("Certificate of  Incorporation").  If, however,  a quorum shall not be
present or  represented  at any meeting of the  stockholders,  the  stockholders
entitled to vote  thereat  shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time
to time,  without notice other than announcement at the meeting,  until a quorum
shall be present.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present,
any business may be transacted  which might have been  transacted at the meeting
as originally  called.  If the  adjournment is for more than thirty days, or, if
after  adjournment a new record date is set, a notice of the  adjourned  meeting
shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
<PAGE> 
Page 26
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     2.3 Conduct of Meetings.  At each meeting of stockholders,  the Chairman of
the Board shall act as chairman of the  meeting.  In the absence or inability or
refusal to act of the Chairman of the Board,  the Vice Chairman of the Board, or
if a Vice Chairman has not been elected, the President, shall act as chairman of
the meeting. The Secretary or, in his absence, inability or refusal to act, such
person as the chairman of the meeting  shall  appoint  shall act as secretary of
the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

     2.4  Order of  Business.  The  order of  business  at all  meetings  of the
stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting.

     2.5 Voting.  Except as otherwise  provided by statute or the  Corporation's
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  each  stockholder of the  Corporation  shall be
entitled at each meeting of  stockholders  to one vote for each share of capital
stock of the Corporation standing in his name on the list of stockholders of the
Corporation  on the record date fixed as provided in these  By-Laws,  as amended
from time to time ("By-Laws").  Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting
of  stockholders  may  authorize  another  person or persons to act for him by a
proxy signed by such stockholder or his attorney-in-fact bearing a date not more
than three years prior to said meeting,  unless said  instrument  provides for a
longer period. Any such proxy shall be delivered to the secretary of the meeting
at or prior to the time  designated  in the order of business for so  delivering
such proxies.  At all meetings of  stockholders  for the election of directors a
plurality of the votes cast shall be  sufficient to elect.  All other  elections
and questions shall,  unless otherwise  provided by law or in the  Corporation's
Certificate of  Incorporation  or these  By-Laws,  be decided by the vote of the
holders  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock  entitled  to vote
thereon  present  in  person  or by proxy at the  meeting.  Unless  required  by
statute, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable,  the vote
on any question need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be
signed by the stockholder  voting,  or by his proxy, if there be such proxy, and
shall state the number of shares voted.

     2.6 List of Stockholders.  A complete list of the stockholders  entitled to
vote at each meeting of stockholders,  arranged in alphabetical  order, with the
address of each, and the number of voting shares held by each, shall be prepared
by the Secretary at least ten days before every meeting. Such list shall be open
to the examination of any  stockholder,  for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary  business hours,  for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting,  either at a place  within  the city  where the  meeting is to be held,
which  place  shall be  specified  in the notice of the  meeting,  or, if not so
specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced  and kept at the time and place of the  meeting  during  the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 27
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     2.7  Inspectors.  The Board of Directors  may, in advance of any meeting of
stockholders,  appoint  one or more  inspectors  to act at such  meeting  or any
adjournment  thereof. If any of the inspectors so appointed shall fail to appear
or act, the chairman of the meeting shall, or if inspectors  shall not have been
appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, appoint one or more inspectors. Each
inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign
an oath  faithfully  to execute the duties of  inspector  at such  meeting  with
strict  impartiality  and according to the best of his ability.  The  inspectors
shall  determine  the  number  of  shares of  capital  stock of the  Corporation
outstanding  and the voting power of each,  the number of shares  represented at
the meeting,  the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies,
and shall receive votes, ballots or consents,  hear and determine all challenges
and questions  arising in connection with the right to vote,  count and tabulate
all votes,  ballots or consents,  determine the results, and do such acts as are
proper to conduct the  election or vote with  fairness to all  stockholders.  On
request of the chairman of the meeting,  the  inspectors  shall make a report in
writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and shall execute
a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office
of director  shall act as an inspector of an election of  directors.  Inspectors
need not be stockholders.

     2.8  Annual  meeting.  The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Stockholders  of  the
Corporation  ("Annual  Meeting")  shall be held at such time and on such date as
shall be  designated  by the Board of  Directors  and  stated  in the  notice of
meeting. At such meeting,  the stockholders shall elect directors as provided in
the  Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation  and By-Laws and shall transact
such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

     2.9 Notice of Annual  Meeting.  Except as otherwise  expressly  required by
statute,  written notice of the Annual Meeting stating the date,  place and time
of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder  entitled to vote thereat, not
less than ten nor more than sixty days prior to the date of the meeting.  Notice
is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,  directed to
the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation.
Notice of any  meeting  shall not be  required to be given to any person (i) who
attends such meeting,  except when such person  attends the meeting in person or
by proxy for the express purpose of objecting,  at the beginning of the meeting,
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened, or (ii) who, either before or after the meeting, shall submit a signed
written  waiver of notice,  in person or by proxy.  Neither  the  business to be
transacted  at, nor the purpose of, an Annual  Meeting  need be specified in any
written waiver of notice.
<PAGE>
Page 28
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     2.10 Notice of Stockholder  Proposals.  (a) At an Annual Meeting, only such
business  shall be conducted,  and only such  proposals  shall be acted upon, as
shall have been brought  before the Annual  Meeting (i) by, or at the  direction
of, the Board of Directors or (ii) by any  stockholder  of the  Corporation  who
complies with the notice  procedures set forth in this Section of these By-Laws.
For a proposal to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder,
the  stockholder  must have  given  timely  notice  thereof  in  writing  to the
Secretary  of the  Corporation.  To be timely,  a  stockholder's  notice must be
delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal  executive offices of the
Corporation  not less than sixty (60) days nor more than  ninety (90) days prior
to the scheduled Annual Meeting,  regardless of any postponements,  deferrals or
adjournments of that meeting to a later date;  provided,  however,  that if less
than seventy (70) days'  notice or prior  public  disclosure  of the date of the
scheduled  Annual  Meeting  is given or made,  notice by the  stockholder  to be
timely must be so  delivered or received not later than the close of business on
the tenth  (10th) day  following  the earlier of the day on which such notice of
the date of the  scheduled  Annual  Meeting  was mailed or the day on which such
public  disclosure was made. A  stockholder's  notice to the Secretary shall set
forth as to each  matter the  stockholder  proposes  to bring  before the Annual
Meeting (i) a brief description of the proposal desired to be brought before the
Annual  Meeting  and the  reasons  for  conducting  such  business at the Annual
Meeting,  (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's  books,
of the stockholder  proposing such business and any other  stockholders known by
such  stockholder to be supporting such proposal,  (iii) the class and number of
shares  of  the  Corporation's   stock  which  are  beneficially  owned  by  the
stockholder on the date of such stockholder notice and by any other stockholders
known by such  stockholder  to be  supporting  such proposal on the date of such
stockholder  notice,  and (iv) any financial interest of the stockholder in such
proposal.

     (b) If the  presiding  officer  of the  Annual  Meeting  determines  that a
stockholder  proposal was not made in accordance with the terms of this Section,
he shall so declare at the Annual  Meeting and any, such  proposal  shall not be
acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

     (c) This  provision  shall not prevent the  consideration  and  approval or
disapproval  at the  Annual  Meeting  of  reports  of  officers,  directors  and
committees of the Board of Directors,  but, in connection with such reports,  no
business shall be acted upon at such Annual  Meeting  unless  stated,  filed and
received as herein provided.

     2.11  Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings of the  stockholders  ("Special
Meetings"),  for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute
or by the  Certificate of  Incorporation,  may be called by the Chief  Executive
Officer,  and shall be called by the  President  or  Secretary at the request in
writing of a majority of the Board of  Directors.  Such request  shall state the
purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.  Business transacted at all Special
Meetings shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

     2.12 Notice of Special Meetings.  Except as otherwise expressly required by
statute, written notice of a special meeting, stating the date, time, place, and
purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote
thereat  not less than ten nor more  than  sixty  days  prior to the date of the
meeting.  Notice is given when  deposited  in the United  States  mail,  postage
prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records
of the  Corporation.  Notice of any meeting shall not be required to be given to
any person who attends such meeting, except when such person attends the meeting
in person or by proxy for the express purpose of objecting,  at the beginning of
the  meeting,  to the  transaction  of any  business  because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened,  or who, either before or after the meeting,  shall
submit a signed  written  waiver of notice,  in person or by proxy.  Neither the
business to be  transacted  at, nor the purpose  of, a Special  Meeting  need be
specified in any written waiver of notice.

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 29
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)
                                  ARTICLE THREE
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS


     3.1 General Powers.  The business and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be
managed by or be under the  direction  of the Board of  Directors.  The Board of
Directors may exercise all such authority and powers of the  Corporation  and do
all such  lawful  acts and  things as are not by  statute  or the  Corporation's
Certificate   of   Incorporation   directed  or  required  to  be  done  by  the
stockholders.

     3.2 Number,  Qualification,  Term of Office.  The number of directors which
constitute  the entire Board of Directors of the  Corporation  shall be fixed by
resolution of the Board of Directors  from time to time,  but shall in any event
be not less than  seven nor more than  fifteen.  Any  decrease  in the number of
directors shall be effective at the time of the next  succeeding  Annual Meeting
unless  there shall be vacancies in the Board of Directors at the time the Board
effects such decrease,  in which case such decrease may become  effective at any
time prior to the next succeeding  Annual Meeting to the extent of the number of
vacancies.  Directors  need not be  stockholders.  Except as  provided  in these
By-Laws,  directors  shall be  elected  at the  Annual  Meeting  or at a Special
Meeting  called for such  purpose,  and each  director  shall be elected to hold
office until a successor shall be elected and qualify.

     3.3 Election of Directors. Nominations for the election of directors may be
made by the Board of Directors or a nominating  committee appointed by the Board
of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors
generally.  However,  any  stockholder  entitled  to  vote  in the  election  of
directors  generally  may nominate one or more persons for election as directors
at a meeting only if written  notice of such  stockholder's  intent to make such
nomination  or  nominations  has been given,  either by personal  delivery or by
United States mail,  postage  prepaid,  to the Secretary of the  Corporation not
later than (i) with  respect  to an  election  to be held at an Annual  Meeting,
ninety  (90) days prior to the  anniversary  date of the  immediately  preceding
Annual  Meeting;  and (ii) with  respect to an  election to be held at a Special
Meeting for the election of directors, the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day  following  the date on  which  notice  of such  meeting  is first  given to
stockholders.  Each such notice shall set forth: (A) the name and address of the
stockholder  who intends to make the  nomination and of the person or persons to
be nominated; (B) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of
stock of the Corporation  entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified
in the notice;  (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings  between
the  stockholder  and each nominee and any other person or persons  (naming such
person or persons)  pursuant to which the  nomination or  nominations  are to be
made by the  stockholder;  (D) such other  information  regarding  each  nominee
proposed  by such  stockholder  as would be  required  to be included in a proxy
statement  filed  pursuant to the proxy  rules of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission as then in effect;  and (E) the consent of each nominee to serve as a
director of the Corporation if so elected.  The presiding officer of the meeting
shall refuse to acknowledge  the nomination of any person not made in compliance
with the foregoing procedure.  The vote necessary to elect directors shall be as
set forth in these By-Laws including,  without  limitation,  Section 2.5 hereof,
unless otherwise required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
<PAGE>
Page 30
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     3.4 Vacancies.  Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's  Certificate
of Incorporation (or by resolution of the Board of Directors, any vacancy in the
Board of Directors,  whether arising from death,  resignation,  removal,  or any
other cause,  and any newly created  directorship  resulting from an increase in
the  number of  directors,  shall be filled  exclusively  by a  majority  of the
directors then in office,  although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining
director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders.  Each director so elected
shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

     3.5 Resignations. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by
giving  written  notice  of  his  resignation  to  the  Corporation.   Any  such
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when
it shall become effective shall not be specified  therein,  immediately upon its
receipt.  Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective.

     3.6 Committees.  (a) The Board of Directors may, by resolution  passed by a
majority of the entire Board of  Directors,  designate  one or more  committees,
including an executive  committee,  each  committee to consist of one or more of
the  directors of the  Corporation.  The Board of Directors may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or  disqualified  member at any meeting of the  committee.  In addition,  in the
absence or  disqualification  of a member of a committee,  the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting,  whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum,  may  unanimously  appoint another member of the
Board of  Directors  to act at the  meeting  in the place of any such  absent or
disqualified member.

          (b)  Except  to  the  extent   restricted  by  the  Delaware   General
     Corporation Law or the  Corporation's  Certificate of  Incorporation,  each
     such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution creating it, shall
     have  and may  exercise  all the  powers  and  authority  of the  Board  of
     Directors and may authorize  the seal of the  Corporation  to be affixed to
     all  papers  which  require  it.  Each such  committee  shall  serve at the
     pleasure of the Board of Directors  and have such name as may be determined
     from time to time by  resolution  adopted by the Board of  Directors.  Each
     committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to
     the Board of Directors.

          (c)  Except  to  the  extent   restricted  by  the  Delaware   General
     Corporation  Law or the  Corporation's  Certificate of  Incorporation,  the
     Executive  Committee,  if any, shall, when the Board of Directors is not in
     session, have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of
     Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation,
     including,  without  limitation,  the  power  and  authority  to  declare a
     dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, and to adopt a certificate of
     ownership  and merger  pursuant  to  Section  253 of the  Delaware  General
     Corporation Law.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 31
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     3.7  Compensation.  The Board of Directors  shall have authority to fix the
compensation,  including fees and  reimbursement  of expenses,  of directors for
services to the Corporation in any capacity.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                              MEETINGS OF THE BOARD


     4.1 Annual Meeting.  The newly elected Board shall meet,  immediately after
the Annual Meeting at which they were elected,  for the purpose of  organization
or  otherwise,  and no notice of such  meeting  shall be  necessary to the newly
elected  directors  in order  legally  to  constitute  the  meeting,  provided a
majority of the whole Board shall be present.

     4.2 Regular  Meetings.  Regular  meetings of the Board shall be held on the
third Wednesday of March,  June,  September,  and December,  at 1:00 p.m. at the
office of the Corporation in the City of Atlanta,  Georgia, unless the Secretary
or any  Assistant  Secretary  shall have given  notice to each  director of some
other date,  time or place for the  meeting.  Notice of regular  meetings of the
Board of Directors need not be given.

     4.3 Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings of the Board may be called by the
Chairman of the Board or the President.  Notice of any special  meeting shall be
given to each  director  at least  twelve  (12)  hours  before  the  meeting  by
telephone  or by being  personally  delivered or sent by telex,  telecopier,  or
telegraph, or at least three (3) days before the meeting if delivered by mail at
the address at which the  director  is most  likely to be  reached.  Such notice
shall be deemed to be  delivered  when  deposited  in the United  States mail so
addressed,  with  postage  prepaid,  or  when  transmitted  if  sent  by  telex,
telecopier  or  telegraph.  Any  director  may waive  notice of any meeting by a
writing signed by the director entitled to the notice and filed with the minutes
or corporate  records.  The attendance at or  participation of the director at a
meeting shall constitute  waiver of notice of such meeting,  unless the director
at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon his arrival  objects to holding
the meeting or transacting  business at the meeting.  Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be
specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such  meeting.  Special  meetings
shall be called by the  Chairman of the Board,  President  or  Secretary in like
manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors.

     4.4 Place of  Meetings.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in the notice of any
meeting,  meetings  of the  Board of  Directors  shall be held at such  place or
places,  within or without the State of Delaware,  as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine.

     4.5 Quorum and Manner of Acting. At all meetings of the Board, one-third of
the total number of directors  shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a
quorum  for the  transaction  of  business,  and the  act of a  majority  of the
directors  present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of
the Board of Directors,  except as may be otherwise specifically provided by the
Delaware  General  Corporation Law or by the Certificate of  Incorporation or by
these  By-Laws.  However,  directors  attending  a meeting  at which less than a
quorum is present  shall have the power to adjourn  the  meeting.  Notice of the
time  and  place  of any  such  adjourned  meeting  shall be given to all of the
directors  unless such time and place were announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment  was  taken,  in which case such  notice  shall only be given to the
directors  who were not present  thereat.  At any  adjourned  meeting at which a
quorum  is  present,  any  business  may be  transacted  which  might  have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called.
<PAGE>
Page 32
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     4.6 Conduct of  Meetings.  At each meeting of the Board of  Directors,  the
Chairman of the Board shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside  thereat.
The  Secretary  or, in his absence,  inability or refusal to act, such person as
the chairman of the meeting  shall appoint shall act as secretary of the meeting
and keep the minutes thereof.

     4.7 Action by Consent.  Unless restricted by the Corporation's  Certificate
of  Incorporation,  any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of
Directors  or  committee  may be taken  without a meeting if all  members of the
Board of Directors or such  committee,  as the case may be,  consent  thereto in
writing,  and the  writing  or  writings  are  filed  with  the  minutes  of the
proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be.

     4.8 Telephonic Meeting. Unless restricted by the Corporation's  Certificate
of  Incorporation,  any one or more  members  of the Board of  Directors  or any
committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such
committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons  participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.


                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                                    OFFICERS


     5.1 Offices. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after each Annual
Meeting of  Stockholders,  shall elect the  officers of the  Corporation,  which
shall include the following:  Chairman of the Board; President; one or more Vice
Presidents, as the Board of Directors shall designate; Secretary; and Treasurer.
The Secretary and the Treasurer may be the same person,  and any Vice  President
may hold at the same time the office of Secretary  and/or  Treasurer.  The Board
may elect one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers
as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Corporation.  The Board
may also elect from among its  members a Vice  Chairman  of the Board,  and from
among its members or former members,  a Chairman  Emeritus.  The Board may elect
such other officers as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for
such terms and shall  exercise  such powers and perform  such duties as shall be
determined from time to time by the Board.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 33
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     5.2  Designation of Chief Executive  Officer.  The Board of Directors shall
designate  either the Chairman of the Board or the President of the  Corporation
as the Chief Executive  officer of the Corporation.  The Chief Executive Officer
shall have authority over the business and affairs of the  Corporation  and over
all other  officers,  agents and  employees of the  Corporation,  subject to the
control and direction of the Board of Directors.

     5.3  Designation  of Chief  Operating  Officer.  The Board of Directors may
designate an officer of the  Corporation as the Chief  Operating  Officer of the
Corporation.  The Chief  Operating  Officer,  if  designated,  shall  manage and
operate the business and affairs of the Corporation,  subject to the control and
direction of the Board of  Directors,  and shall  report to the Chief  Executive
Officer.

     5.4  Compensation.  The  salaries  of all  officers  shall  be  fixed by or
pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors.

     5.5 Tenure and Removal.  Each officer of the Corporation  shall hold office
until his successor is chosen and qualifies in his stead, or until his death, or
until he shall have resigned or been removed,  as hereinafter  provided in these
By-Laws.  Any officer  elected or  appointed  by the Board of  Directors  may be
removed at any time with or without cause by the affirmative  vote of a majority
of the Board of Directors.

     5.6 Resignations.  Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by
giving  written  notice  of  his  resignation  to  the  Corporation.   Any  such
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when
it shall become  effective  shall not be  specified  therein,  immediately  upon
receipt.  Unless  otherwise  specified  therein,  the  acceptance  of  any  such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

     5.7  Vacancies.  If the office of any officer  becomes  vacant by reason of
death,  resignation,  retirement,  disqualification,  removal  from  office,  or
otherwise,  the Board of Directors  may fill each such vacancy for the unexpired
term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

     5.8  Chairman of the Board.  (a) The Chairman of the Board shall be elected
from among the members of the Board of Directors  and shall be an officer of the
Corporation.  The  Chairman  shall  preside  at all  meetings  of the  Board  of
Directors  and of the  stockholders.  The  Chairman  shall have such  powers and
duties as an officer of the  Corporation as provided by these By-Laws and as the
Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

          (b) The Chairman may sign,  execute,  acknowledge and deliver,  in the
     name and on  behalf of the  Corporation,  all  stock  certificates,  deeds,
     mortgages,  bonds, contracts,  documents and instruments,  except where the
     signing thereof shall be expressly and exclusively  delegated to some other
     officer or agent by the Board of Directors or by these By-Laws, or required
     by law to be otherwise signed or executed.

     5.9 Chairman  Emeritus.  The Board of Directors may elect a former Chairman
of the Board as Chairman  Emeritus.  The Chairman  Emeritus shall be an honorary
position,  reflecting  outstanding service and devotion to the Corporation.  The
Chairman  Emeritus  shall  advise  and  consult  with the  Board  of  Directors,
committees of the Board of Directors,  and the President, on matters of interest
to the  Corporation,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as the  Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe.
<PAGE>
Page 34
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     5.10 Vice  Chairman of the Board.  The Vice  Chairman of the Board,  if one
shall have been  elected  from among the  members  of the Board,  shall,  in the
absence of the Chairman or in the event of the  Chairman's  refusal or inability
to act, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders,  and
shall  perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe.

     5.11 President.  (a) The President shall have such powers and shall perform
such duties as are provided by these  By-Laws and as the Board of Directors  may
from time to time prescribe.  The President  shall,  in the Chairman's  absence,
inability  or refusal to act,  perform  the duties of the  Chairman,  other than
duties to be performed by the Vice  Chairman (if one shall have been elected) as
prescribed  under or pursuant to these  By-Laws.  When so acting,  the President
shall have all of the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions  upon the
Chairman,  including  the  powers  and  restrictions  applicable  to  the  Chief
Executive Officer if the Chairman serves in that capacity.

          (b) The President may sign,  execute,  acknowledge and deliver, in the
     name and on  behalf of the  Corporation,  all  stock  certificates,  deeds,
     mortgages,  bonds, contracts,  documents and instruments,  except where the
     signing thereof shall be expressly and exclusively  delegated to some other
     officer or agent by the Board of Directors or by these  By-Laws or required
     by law to be otherwise signed or executed.

     5.12 Vice President.  (a) Each Vice President shall have such powers and be
required to perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive
Officer may from time to time prescribe.

          *(b) The  Board of  Directors  may  designate  one or more of the Vice
     Presidents as Executive Vice  President.  The Executive Vice President (or,
     if more  than  one  Executive  Vice  President  has  been  designated,  the
     Executive Vice President specified by the Board of Directors) shall, in the
     President's absence, inability or refusal to act, perform all of the duties
     of the President.  When so acting,  the Executive Vice President shall have
     all of the  powers of and be subject  to all of the  restrictions  upon the
     President,  including the powers and  restrictions  applicable to the Chief
     Executive Officer if the President serves in that capacity.

     5.13  Secretary.  (a) The Secretary  shall attend all sessions of the Board
and all meetings of the  stockholders and shall record all votes and the minutes
of all such  proceedings  in a book to be kept for that  purpose.  The Secretary
shall  perform like duties for the  Committees of the Board upon  requested.  He
shall be  custodian  of the  records and the seal of the  Corporation  and shall
affix and  attest  the seal to all  documents  to be  executed  on behalf of the
Corporation  under its seal. He shall give, or cause to be given,  notice of all
meetings of the stockholders  and of the Board of Directors,  in accordance with
the  provisions  of  these  By-Laws  and as  required  by the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law, and shall  perform such other duties as the Board of Directors
or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 35
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

          (b)  The  Assistant  Secretary  shall,  in  the  Secretary's  absence,
     inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the Secretary, and shall
     perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief  Executive
     Officer may from time to time prescribe.

     5.14  Treasurer.  (a) The  Treasurer  shall have  charge and custody of the
corporate  funds and  securities  and shall keep full and  accurate  accounts of
receipts and  disbursements,  in books belonging to the  Corporation,  and shall
deposit all corporate  monies and other valuable  effects in the name and to the
credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board
of Directors or pursuant to its direction.

          (b) The  Treasurer  shall receive and give receipts for monies due and
     payable to the  Corporation  from any source  whatsoever and shall disburse
     the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board,  taking proper
     vouchers therefor, and shall render to the President and directors,  at the
     regular  meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account
     of all of his  transactions as Treasurer and of the financial  condition of
     the Corporation  and in general,  perform all duties incident to the office
     of the  Treasurer  and such other  duties as the Board of  Directors or the
     Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.

          (c)  The  Assistant  Treasurer  shall,  in  the  Treasurer's  absence,
     inability or refusal to act,  perform the duties of the Treasurer and shall
     also  perform  such  other  duties as the Board of  Directors  or the Chief
     Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.


                                   ARTICLE SIX
                     STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER THEREOF


     6.1 Stock  Certificates.  Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be
entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by,
the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Executive  Vice  President and
by the  Treasurer  or an Assistant  Treasurer  or the  Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the  Corporation,  certifying  the number of shares owned by him in
the Corporation.  If the Corporation  shall be authorized to issue more than one
class  of  stock  or more  than  one  series  of any  class,  the  designations,
preferences  and relative,  participating,  optional or other special  rights of
each class of stock or series  thereof and the  qualifications,  limitations  or
restrictions  of such  preferences  and/or  rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate  which the  Corporation  shall
issue to  represent  such  class or series of stock,  provided  that,  except as
otherwise  provided in Section 202 of the Delaware  General  Corporation Law, in
lieu of the foregoing  requirements,  there may be set forth on the face or back
of the certificate  which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or
series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to
each  stockholder  who so requests the  designations,  preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series
thereof and the qualifications,  limitations or restrictions of such preferences
and/or rights.
<PAGE>
Page 36
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     6.2 Transfers of Stock.  Upon surrender to the  Corporation or the transfer
agent  of  the  Corporation  of  a  certificate  for  shares  duly  endorsed  or
accompanied  by proper  evidence  of  succession,  assignment  or  authority  to
transfer,  it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to
the  person  entitled  thereto,  cancel  the  old  certificate  and  record  the
transaction upon its record;  provided,  however,  that the Corporation shall be
entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful  restriction on transfer.  Whenever
any transfer of stock shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely,
it shall be so expressed in the entry of transfer if, when the  certificates are
presented  to  the  Corporation  for  transfer,  both  the  transferor  and  the
transferee request the Corporation to do so.

     6.3 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize
the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares
of stock to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, and accordingly,  shall
not be bound to  recognize  any  equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or  shares  of stock on the part of any other  person,  whether  or not it
shall have express or other notice thereof,  except as otherwise provided by the
laws of Delaware.

     6.4  Record  Date.  (a) In order that the  Corporation  may  determine  the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or
to receive  payment of any  dividend or other  distribution  or allotment of any
rights or to  exercise  any  rights in  respect  of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other  lawful  action,  the Board of
Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on
which the  resolution  fixing the record date is adopted  and which  record date
shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
any meeting of stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the time for
such other  action as  hereinbefore  described;  provided,  however,  that if no
record date is fixed by the Board of Directors,  the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given  or,  if  notice  is  waived,  at the  close of  business  on the day next
preceding  the  day  on  which  the  meeting  is  held,   and,  for  determining
stockholders  entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other  distribution
or  allotment  or rights or to  exercise  any  rights of change,  conversion  or
exchange  of stock or for any other  purpose,  the  record  date shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution
relating thereto.

     (b) A  determination  of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

     6.5 Lost  Certificates.  Any person  claiming a certificate  of stock to be
lost,  stolen or destroyed  shall make an affidavit or affirmation of that fact,
in such manner and form as the Board of Directors may from time to time require,
in order to obtain issuance of a new certificate in place thereof.  The Board of
Directors  may,  at its  discretion  and as a  condition  precedent  to any such
issuance,  require any such person to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as
it may direct to  indemnify  it against  any claim that may be made  against the
Corporation  on account of the alleged loss,  theft or  destruction  of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new  certificate.  Upon  compliance with all
requirements  established by the Board of Directors for any such issuance, a new
certificate may be issued.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 37
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     6.6 Facsimile Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may
be a facsimile. In case any officer,  transfer agent or registrar who has signed
or whose  facsimile  signature  has been  placed upon a  certificate  shall have
ceased to be such officer,  transfer agent or registrar  before such certificate
is issued,  it may, be issued by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

     6.7 Transfer Agents and Registrars.  The Board of Directors may appoint, or
authorize any officer or officers to appoint,  one or more  transfer  agents and
one or more registrars.

     6.8 Regulations.  The Board of Directors may make such additional rules and
regulations,  not  inconsistent  with these  By-Laws,  as it may deem  expedient
concerning the issue,  transfer and  registration of certificates  for shares of
stock of the Corporation.


                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


     7.1 Corporate  Seal. The corporate  seal shall have  inscribed  thereon the
name of the Corporation and the words "CORPORATE SEAL" and "DELAWARE."

     7.2 Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year shall begin the first day of September in
each year.

     7.3 Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other demands for the
payment  of money and notes of the  Corporation  shall be signed,  endorsed,  or
accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer or officers from time to
time  designated  by  the  Board  of  Directors  or by an  officer  or  officers
authorized by the Board of Directors to make such designation.

     7.4  Execution of  Instruments.  The Board of Directors  may  authorize any
officer  or  officers,  agent or  agents,  in the name of and on  behalf  of the
Corporation  to enter  into or execute  and  deliver  any and all deeds,  bonds,
mortgages,  contracts and other  obligations or instruments,  and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

     7.5 Dividends and  Reserves.  Subject to the  provisions of statute and the
Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation dividends upon the shares of capital
stock of the  Corporation  may be  declared  by the  Board of  Directors  at any
regular or special meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of
stock of the Corporation.
<PAGE>
Page 38
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     7.6 Notice.  Whenever under the provisions of these By-Laws  written notice
is required to be given to any director,  officer, or stockholder,  it shall not
be construed to require personal notice,  but unless otherwise provided by these
By-Laws,  such  notice  shall be  deemed  to have  been  given in  writing  when
deposited  in  the  United  States  mail,  postage  prepaid,  directed  to  such
stockholder,  officer or director at his address as it appears on the records of
the Corporation.

     7.7 Voting of Stock in Other  Corporations.  Unless  otherwise  provided by
resolution of the Board of Directors,  the Chief Executive Officer, from time to
time,  may (or may  appoint one or more  attorneys  or agents to) cast the votes
which the  Corporation  may be entitled to cast as a stockholder or otherwise in
any other  corporation,  any of whose  shares or  securities  may be held by the
Corporation,  at meetings of the  holders of the shares or other  securities  of
such  other  corporation.  In the event  one or more;  attorneys  or agents  are
appointed,  the Chief  Executive  Officer may  instruct the person or persons so
appointed  as to the manner of casting  such votes or giving such  consent.  The
Chief Executive  Officer may, or may instruct the attorneys or agents  appointed
to, execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation
and under its seal or  otherwise,  such written  proxies,  consents,  waivers or
other instruments as may be necessary or proper in the circumstances.

     7.8  Indemnification.  (a) Each  director or officer or former  director or
officer of the Corporation or any person who may have served at its request as a
director  or officer of another  corporation  in which it owns shares of capital
stock or of which it is a creditor,  shall be  indemnified  and held harmless by
the Corporation,  as hereinafter  provided,  against any and all liabilities and
counsel fees, costs and legal and other expenses (including, without limitation,
fines, penalties,  judgments and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred
by or imposed on him in  connection  with or resulting  from any claim,  action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, or
any appeal  therein,  in which he may be or become involved or with which he may
be threatened,  as a party or otherwise, by reason of his now or hereafter being
or having  heretofore  been a director or officer of the  Corporation or of such
other  corporation,  or by reason of his alleged acts or omissions as a director
or officer as aforesaid, whether or not he continues to be such at the time such
liabilities,  fees,  costs or expenses shall have been  incurred,  provided such
director  or  officer  shall be  indemnified  and  held  harmless  against  such
liabilities,  fees,  costs and  expenses,  only if he acted in  relation to such
matters in good faith for a purpose  which he  reasonably  believed to be in the
best interests of the Corporation.

          (b) In discharging his duty to the Corporation, a director or officer,
     when  acting in good  faith,  may rely  upon  financial  statements  of the
     Corporation  represented  to him  to be  correct  by,  the  officer  of the
     Corporation having charge of its books of accounts,  or stated in a written
     report by an independent  public or certified public  accountant or firm of
     such  accountants  fairly  to  reflect  the  financial  condition  of  such
     corporation.

          (c) Termination of a claim,  action or proceeding by judgment,  order,
     settlement  (whether with or without court approval),  conviction or upon a
     plea of  guilty  or of nolo  contendere,  or its  equivalent,  shall not of
     itself  create a  presumption  that a director  or officer did not meet the
     standard of conduct set forth above.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 39
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

          (d) The grant of an indemnification  provided herein,  unless approved
     by a court in a final adjudication of a claim,  action, suit, or proceeding
     or in connection with a court approved  settlement  thereof,  shall be made
     pursuant to a direction of the Board of Directors of the  Corporation,  but
     may be  granted  only (i) if the  Board of  Directors,  acting  by a quorum
     consisting  of  directors  not  parties  to  such  claim,  action,  suit or
     proceeding,  shall have  determined  that in its  opinion  the  director or
     officer  has met the  standard  of conduct  set forth  above or (ii) in the
     event  such  a  quorum  is  not  obtainable   with  due   diligence,   then
     alternatively  if the Board of  Directors  shall have  received the written
     advice of  independent  legal counsel  selected by it, that in the latter's
     judgment  such  applicable  standard  of conduct  has been met.  If several
     claims,   issues,   matters  or  actions  are  involved  in  the  grant  of
     indemnification  provided  herein,  a director  or  officer  may be granted
     indemnification  by the Board of Directors to the extent of that portion of
     the  liabilities,  fees,  costs and  expenses  which are  allocable to such
     claims,  issues,  matters or  actions in respect of which it is  determined
     that such  director  or officer  has met the  standard of conduct set forth
     above.

          (e)  Expenses  incurred  with  respect to any claim,  action,  suit or
     proceeding  may  be  advanced  by  the  Corporation   prior  to  the  final
     disposition  thereof upon receipt of an  undertaking by or on behalf of the
     director  or officer to repay such  amount  unless it shall  ultimately  be
     determined that he is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

          (f) The rights to the  indemnification  provided herein shall inure to
     the   benefit   of  the   heirs,   executors,   administrators,   or  legal
     representatives of the persons covered hereby;  shall be in addition to any
     rights to which any such person may  otherwise be entitled by any provision
     of law, articles of incorporation,  by-law,  contract, vote of stockholders
     or  otherwise;  and  shall  be in  addition  to and not in  restriction  or
     limitation  of any  other  privilege  or power  which the  Corporation  may
     lawfully exercise with respect to the  indemnification  or reimbursement of
     directors, officers and others.

          (g) If any part of this Section shall be found, in any action, suit or
     proceeding,  to be invalid or  ineffective,  the validity and the effect of
     the remaining parts shall not be affected.

          (h) The rights of indemnification provided herein shall not arise with
     respect to conduct  subsequent  to January 5, 1987,  which conduct shall be
     subject to the indemnification provisions set forth in Article Fifteenth of
     the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation.
<PAGE> 
Page 40
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(b)

     7.9  Amendments.  These By-Laws may be adopted,  amended or repealed (i) by
the  affirmative  vote of a majority  of the  directors  present at a meeting at
which a quorum is  present  unless the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these
By-Laws shall  require a vote of a greater  number,  or (ii) by the  affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of all of the  outstanding
shares of capital stock of the  Corporation at any regular or special meeting of
stockholders  if notice of the proposed  amendment is contained in the notice of
the meeting or waived by all of the stockholders entitled to vote.












































* Paragraph 5.12(b), as amended March 24, 1998.


                                                                         Page 41
                                                         Exhibit 10(iii)A(13)(b)

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  1992 NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN




     THIS AMENDMENT made as of March 24, 1998, by National  Service  Industries,
Inc. ("NSI");



                              W I T N E S S E T H:



     WHEREAS, the 1992 Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") was
approved by the Board of  Directors of NSI on  September  16,  1992,  and by the
stockholders of NSI on January 6, 1993; and


     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the power of amendment  set forth in Section 9 of the
Plan and action of the Board of Directors of NSI on March 24, 1998;


     NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:


     1. Section 5.1 of the Plan is amended by deleting the "and" before  "(ii)",
by  replacing  "that the Plan  remains in effect  pursuant  to its  terms"  with
"through  the fiscal  year ending  August 31,  1998," and  inserting  "and (iii)
beginning with the fiscal year that commences  September 1, 1998, on the date of
the Annual  Meeting  each year that the Plan  remains in effect  pursuant to its
terms", so that Section 5.1 now reads in its entirety as follows:


          5.1 Grant. An Option shall be granted to each Nonemployee  Director on
          (i) the first  business day after the date of the first annual meeting
          of the stockholders of the Company  following  adoption of the Plan by
          the Board,  (ii) the third (3rd)  Wednesday  occurring in September of
          each year through the fiscal year ending  August 31,  1998,  and (iii)
          beginning  with the fiscal year that  commences  September 1, 1998, on
          the date of the  Annual  Meeting  each year that the Plan  remains  in
          effect  pursuant to its terms.  The number of Shares and the  purchase
          price  therefor of each Option  shall be as provided in this Section 5
          and such Options  shall be evidenced by an Agreement  containing  such
          other terms and  conditions  not  inconsistent  with the provisions of
          this Plan as determined by the Board.
<PAGE> 
Page 42
                                                         Exhibit 10(iii)A(13)(b)

     2.   Except as hereby  modified,  the Plan  shall  remain in full force and
          effect pursuant to its original terms.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
     of the day and year first written above.


ATTEST:                                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.





/s/ Carol Ellis Morgan               By:  /s/ James S. Balloun
Assistant Secretary                       James S. Balloun
                                          Chairman of  the Board, President  and
                                          Chief Executive Officer




(CORPORATE SEAL)








                                                                         Page 43
                                                         Exhibit 10(iii)A(19)(c)
                                                                            
                               AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT PLAN


     This  Amendment is made as of the 31st day of December,  1997,  by National
Service Industries, Inc. (the "Corporation").
                             
                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation   previously  established  and  amended  the
National Service Industries,  Inc. Nonemployee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan
(the  "Plan")  for the  benefit  of  directors  of the  Corporation  who are not
employees of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as defined in the Plan); and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the power of amendment contained in Section 7.1 of
the Plan, by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation  taken December
17,  1997 and  effective  on the date  hereof,  the Plan is  hereby  amended  as
follows:

                                       1.

         Article 5 of the Plan is hereby amended,  effective  December 31, 1997,
by renumbering Section 5.5 as 5.6 and inserting the following as Section 5.5:

                  5.5 Merger with  Deferred  Compensation  Plan.  The account of
         each Eligible  Director who  participates  in the  Directors'  Deferred
         Compensation  Plan shall be  credited  as of the close of  business  on
         December 31, 1997,  with the number of Deferred Stock Units (rounded to
         the  nearest  hundredth)  equal  to such  Eligible  Director's  account
         balance in the Directors'  Deferred  Compensation  Plan as of that date
         divided by the Fair Market Value.

                                       2.

         Except as provided  herein,  the provisions of the Plan shall remain in
full force and effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment No.
2 as of the day and year first written above.


ATTEST:                                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.




/s/ Carol Ellis Morgan               By:  /s/ James S. Balloun
Assistant Secretary                       James S. Balloun
                                          Chairman of  the Board, President  and
                                          Chief Executive Officer




                                                                             
Page 44
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                   MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PLAN


           As Amended and Restated, Effective As Of September 1, 1998

1.       ESTABLISHMENT AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

                  National Service Industries,  Inc. (the "Corporation")  hereby
         amends and restates the National Service  Industries,  Inc.  Management
         Compensation and Incentive Plan (the "Plan") for its executive officers
         and certain other  executives of the  Corporation,  its Operating Units
         and affiliates who are in management  positions  designated as eligible
         for participation by the Executive Resource and Compensation  Committee
         (the  "Committee")  of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or its
         designee. The amended and restated Plan shall be effective on September
         1, 1998 and shall remain in effect,  subject to the rights of amendment
         and termination in Section 13, until the Incentive  Awards are paid for
         the Corporation's  fiscal year ending in 2004.  Payments under the Plan
         shall  only be made to  Named  Executive  Officers  after  the  Plan is
         approved by the stockholders of the Corporation.

2.       PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

                  The purpose of the Plan is to further the growth and financial
         success  of the  Corporation  by  offering  performance  incentives  to
         designated  executives  who have  significant  responsibility  for such
         success.

3.       DEFINITIONS

         ()       "Base  Annual  Salary"  means  the  actual  salary  paid  to a
                  Participant during the applicable Plan Year,  increased by the
                  amount of any pre-tax deferrals or other pre-tax payments made
                  by the Participant to the Corporation's  deferred compensation
                  or welfare plans (whether qualified or non-qualified).

         ()       "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the 
                   Corporation.

         ()       "Change in Control" means any of the following events:

                           (i) The acquisition (other than from the Corporation)
                  by any  "Person"  [as the term person is used for  purposes of
                  Sections  13(d)  or 14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
                  1934,  as amended  (the "1934 Act")] of  beneficial  ownership
                  (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3  promulgated  under the 1934
                  Act) of twenty  percent  (20%) or more of the combined  voting
                  power of the Corporation's then outstanding voting securities;
                  or
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 45
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

                           (ii) The  individuals  who, as of September 22, 1998,
                  are members of the Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board"),
                  cease for any reason to constitute at least  two-thirds of the
                  Board of Directors;  provided,  however, that if the election,
                  or nomination for election by the Corporation's  stockholders,
                  of  any  new  director  was  approved  by a vote  of at  least
                  two-thirds of the Incumbent  Board,  such new director  shall,
                  for purposes of this Plan,  be  considered  as a member of the
                  Incumbent Board; or

                           (iii) Approval by  stockholders of the Corporation of
                  (1) a merger or consolidation involving the Corporation if the
                  stockholders  of  the  Corporation,  immediately  before  such
                  merger or  consolidation do not, as a result of such merger or
                  consolidation,  own, directly or indirectly, more than seventy
                  percent  (70%)  of the  combined  voting  power  of  the  then
                  outstanding  voting  securities of the  corporation  resulting
                  from such merger or consolidation  in  substantially  the same
                  proportion as their  ownership of the combined voting power of
                  the  voting   securities   of  the   Corporation   outstanding
                  immediately  before  such  merger  or  consolidation  or (2) a
                  complete  liquidation or dissolution of the  Corporation or an
                  agreement  for  the  sale  or  other  disposition  of  all  or
                  substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.

                           Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  a Change in Control
                  shall not be deemed to occur pursuant to subsection (i) above,
                  solely  because  twenty  percent (20%) or more of the combined
                  voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding  securities
                  is  acquired  by (i) a  trustee  or  other  fiduciary  holding
                  securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained
                  by the  Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries,  or (ii) any
                  corporation which,  immediately prior to such acquisition,  is
                  owned  directly  or  indirectly  by  the  stockholders  of the
                  Corporation in the same proportion as their ownership of stock
                  in the Corporation immediately prior to such acquisition.

         ()       "Chief Executive Officer" means the chief executive officer 
                  of the Corporation, unless otherwise specified.

         ()       "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         ()       "Committee"  means  the  Executive  Resource and  Compensation
                  Committee of the  Board of  Directors or any other  committee
                  designated by the Board of Directors which is responsible for
                  administering the Plan.

         ()       "Corporation"  means  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  a
                  Delaware corporation, and its successors.

         ()       "Incentive  Award"  or  "Award"  means  the bonus awarded to a
                  Participant under the terms of the Plan.
<PAGE>
Page 46
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

         ()       "Maximum  Award" means the maximum  percentage  of Base Annual
                  Salary which may be paid based upon the Relative  Performance
                  during the Plan Year.

         ()       "Named  Executive  Officer"  means a  Participant  who as of
                  the  date of  payment  of an  Incentive  Award is  one of the
                  group of  "covered employees" under Code Section  162(m) and 
                  the regulations thereunder.

         ()       "Operating  Unit" means a separate  business  operating  unit
                  of  the  Corporation  with  respect  to  which  separate  
                  performance  goals may be established hereunder.

         ()       "Participant"  means an employee of the  Corporation,  an
                  Operating Unit or an affiliate who is designated by the  
                  Committee to participate in the Plan.

         ()       "Personal  Performance  Goals"  means the goals that may be
                  established  for a  Participant  each year to improve the
                  effectiveness  of the Participant's area of responsibility
                  as well as the Corporation as a whole.

         ()       "Plan Rules" means the guidelines  established  annually
                  by the Committee pursuant to Section 4, subject,  where
                  applicable,  to ratification by the Board of Directors.

         ()       "Plan Year" means the twelve month period which is the same as
                  the  Corporation's  fiscal year. The initial Plan Year for the
                  amended and  restated  Plan shall be September 1, 1998 through
                  August 31, 1999.

         ()       "Relative Performance" means the extent to which the 
                  Corporation,  and/or designated Operating Unit, as applicable,
                  achieves the performance measurement criteria set forth in the
                  Plan Rules.

         ()       "Target  Award"  means the  percentage  (which  may vary among
                  Participants  and from Plan Year to Plan Year) of Base  Annual
                  Salary  which will be paid to a  Participant  as an  Incentive
                  Award if the performance  measurement  criteria  applicable to
                  the Participant for the Plan Year is achieved, as reflected in
                  the Plan Rules for such Plan Year.

         ()       "Threshold Award" means the percentage of Base Annual Salary
                  which may be paid based on the minimum  acceptable  Relative
                  Performance during the Plan Year.

4.       ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

                  The Plan will be administered by the Committee, subject to its
         right to delegate  responsibility  for administration of the Plan as it
         applies to Participants other than Named Executive Officers pursuant to
         Section 7. The Committee  will have  authority to establish  Plan Rules
         with respect to the following matters for the Plan Year, subject to the
         right of the Board of  Directors  to ratify such Plan Rules as provided
         in this Section 4:

         (a)      the employees who are Participants in the Plan;
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 47
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

         (b)      the Target Award,  Maximum Award and Threshold  Award that can
                  be granted to each  Participant and the method for determining
                  such award, which the Committee may amend from time to time;

         (c)      the  performance  targets and the  measurement  criteria to be
                  used in determining the  Corporation's  or an Operating Unit's
                  Relative  Performance,  which will  include one or more of the
                  following,  as determined by the Committee  each year:  sales,
                  net income,  earnings per share,  return on equity,  return on
                  assets (or net assets),  after-tax or pre-tax  profit,  market
                  value of the Corporation's  stock,  total shareholder  return,
                  return on investment,  economic profit,  capitalized  economic
                  profit, cash flow and cash flow return; and

         (d)      the time or times  and the  conditions  subject  to which  any
                  Incentive Award may become payable.

                  The Plan Rules will be adopted by the  Committee  prior to, or
         as soon as practical after, the commencement of each Plan Year. Subject
         to the provisions of the Plan and the Committee's right to delegate its
         responsibilities,  the  Committee  will  also  have  the  discretionary
         authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe,  amend and rescind rules
         and  regulations  relating to it, and to make all other  determinations
         deemed   necessary  or  advisable  in   administering   the  Plan.  The
         determinations   of  the  Committee  on  the  matters  referred  to  in
         paragraphs  (a)  through  (d) of this  Section 4 with  respect to Named
         Executive  Officers (and such other  Participants  as the Committee may
         determine)  shall  be  submitted  at  least  annually  to the  Board of
         Directors for its consideration and ratification.  For Participants who
         are not Named Executive  Officers,  the Committee may in its discretion
         establish  performance  measures  not listed in this  Section 4 without
         obtaining shareholder approval.

5.       PARTICIPATION

                  Eligibility  for  participation  in the  Plan  is  limited  to
         executive  officers of the Corporation and certain other  executives of
         the  Corporation  and its Operating  Units or  affiliates  who hold key
         management  and staff  positions.  From among those  eligible and based
         upon the  recommendations  of the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and other
         designees,  the  Committee  will  designate  by  name or  position  the
         Participants  each Plan Year.  Any employee who is a Participant in one
         Plan Year may be excluded  from  participation  in any other Plan Year.
         If,  during the Plan Year, a Participant  other than a Named  Executive
         Officer   changes   employment   positions  to  a  new  position  which
         corresponds  to a different  award  level,  the  Committee  may, in its
         discretion,  adjust the  Participant's  award level for such Plan Year.
         The Committee may, in its discretion, designate employees who are hired
         after the beginning of the Plan Year as Participants for such Plan Year
         and as eligible to receive  full or partial  Incentive  Awards for such
         year.



<PAGE>
Page 48
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)


6.       INCENTIVE AWARDS
         6.1      Determination of the Amount of Incentive Awards

                  At the end of each Plan Year, the Committee  shall certify the
         extent  to which  the  performance  targets  and  measurement  criteria
         established pursuant to Section 4 have been achieved for such Plan Year
         based upon financial  information provided by the Corporation.  Subject
         to the right to decrease an award as described  in the next  paragraph,
         the  Participant's  Incentive  Award shall be computed by the Committee
         based upon the  achievement  of the  established  performance  targets,
         measurement  criteria and the  requirements  of the Plan. The Committee
         may in determining whether performance targets have been met adjust the
         Corporation's  financial  results  to  exclude  the  effect of  unusual
         charges or income  items or other  events,  including  acquisitions  or
         dispositions    of    businesses    or    assets,    recapitalizations,
         reorganizations,   restructurings,   reductions   in  force,   currency
         fluctuations or changes in accounting,  which are distortive of results
         for the year  (either on a segment or  consolidated  basis);  provided,
         that  for  purposes  of  determining  the  Incentive  Awards  of  Named
         Executive  Officers,  the Committee  shall exclude  unusual items whose
         exclusion has the effect of  increasing  Relative  Performance  if such
         items  constitute   "extraordinary   items"  under  generally  accepted
         accounting  principles or are  significant  unusual items. In addition,
         the Committee will adjust its calculations to exclude the unanticipated
         effect on  financial  results of changes in the Code or other tax laws,
         or the regulations relating thereto.

                  The Committee may, in its discretion, decrease the amount of a
         Participant's  Incentive  Award for a Plan Year based upon such factors
         as it may  determine,  including the failure of the  Corporation  or an
         Operating Unit to meet certain performance goals or of a Participant to
         meet his Personal Performance Goals. The factors to be used in reducing
         an Incentive  Award may be  established at the beginning of a Plan Year
         and may vary among Participants.

                  In the event that the  Corporation's  or an  Operating  Unit's
         performance  is below the  anticipated  performance  thresholds for the
         Plan Year and the Incentive Awards are below expectations or not earned
         at all, the Committee may in its discretion  grant Incentive Awards (or
         increase  the   otherwise   earned   Incentive   Awards)  to  deserving
         Participants, except for Participants who are Named Executive Officers.

                  The Plan Rules and  Incentive  Awards  under the Plan shall be
         administered  in a manner  to  qualify  payments  under the Plan to the
         Named Executive Officers for the performance-based exception under Code
         Section 162(m) and the regulations  thereunder,  except where the Board
         of Directors  determines such compliance is not necessary.  The maximum
         Incentive  Award that may be paid to an  individual  Participant  for a
         Plan Year  shall be the amount  which  when added to the  Participant's
         Base  Annual  Salary  for such Plan Year  totals an  aggregate  of $2.5
         million.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 49
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

         6.2      Eligibility for Payment of Incentive Award

                  No  Participant  will have any  vested  right to  receive  any
         Incentive  Award until such date as the Board of Directors has ratified
         the Committee's determination with respect to the payment of individual
         Incentive   Awards,   except  where  the  Committee   determines   such
         ratification  is not necessary.  No Incentive Award will be paid to any
         Participant  who is not  an  active  employee  of the  Corporation,  an
         Operating Unit or an affiliate at the end of the Plan Year to which the
         Incentive Award relates;  provided,  however,  at the discretion of the
         Committee  or its  designee  (subject to  ratification  by the Board of
         Directors, where required, and the limitations of Code Section 162(m)),
         partial  Incentive  Awards  may  be  paid  to  Participants  (or  their
         beneficiaries)  who are terminated  without cause (as determined by the
         Committee or its designee) or who retire, die or become permanently and
         totally  disabled  during the Plan Year.  No  Participant  entitled  to
         receive an  Incentive  Award shall have any  interest  in any  specific
         asset  of the  Corporation,  and  such  Participant's  rights  shall be
         equivalent to that of a general unsecured  creditor of the Corporation.
         6.3 Payment of Awards

                  Payment  of the  Incentive  Awards  will  be  made  as soon as
         practicable after their determination pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2,
         subject  to a  Participant's  right to defer  payment  pursuant  to any
         applicable deferred compensation plans of the Corporation. Payment will
         generally be made in a lump sum in cash, unless the Committee otherwise
         determines at the beginning of the Plan Year.

7.       DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY BY THE COMMITTEE

                  Notwithstanding  the  responsibilities  of the  Committee  set
         forth herein, the Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer
         or others all or any portion of its  responsibility  for administration
         of the Plan as it relates to  Participants  other than Named  Executive
         Officers.  Such  delegation  may  include,   without  limitation,   the
         authority to designate  employees who can  participate  in the Plan, to
         establish Plan Rules, to interpret the Plan, to determine the extent to
         which  performance  criteria  have been  achieved,  and to  adjust  any
         Incentive Awards that are payable. In the case of each such delegation,
         the  administrative  actions  of the  delegate  shall be subject to the
         approval  of the person  within the  Corporation  to whom the  delegate
         reports  (or,  in the  case  of a  delegation  to the  Chief  Executive
         Officer, to the approval of the Committee).

8.       CHANGE IN CONTROL

                  Upon  the  occurrence  of a  Change  in  Control,  unless  the
         Participant  otherwise elects in writing,  the Participant's  Incentive
         Award for the Plan Year,  determined at the Target Award level (without
         any  reductions  under  Section 6.1) shall be deemed to have been fully
         earned for the Plan Year,  provided that` the Participant shall only be
         entitled to a pro rata  portion of the  Incentive  Award based upon the
         number  of days  within  the  Plan  Year  that  had  elapsed  as of the
         effective  date of the Change in Control.  The  Incentive  Award amount
         shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) days of the effective  date of
         the Change in Control.  The  Incentive  Award  payable upon a Change in
         Control to a  Participant  for the Plan Year  during  which a Change in
         Control  occurs  shall be the greater of the amount  provided for under
         this  Section 8 or the amount of the  Incentive  Award  payable to such
         Participant  for the  Plan  Year  under  the  terms  of any  employment
         agreement or severance  agreement with the  Corporation,  its Operating
         Units or affiliates.
<PAGE>
Page 50
                                                            Exhibit 10(iii)A(31)

9.       BENEFICIARY

                  To the extent  provided by the  Committee or its designee each
         Participant will designate a person or persons to receive, in the event
         of death,  any Incentive Award to which the  Participant  would then be
         entitled under Section 6.2. Such designation will be made in the manner
         determined by the Committee  and may be revoked by the  Participant  in
         writing.  If the  Committee  does  not  provide  for a  designation  of
         beneficiary  or if a  Participant  fails  effectively  to  designate  a
         beneficiary,  then the estate of the  Participant  will be deemed to be
         the beneficiary.

10.      WITHHOLDING OF TAXES

                  The Corporation shall deduct from each Incentive Award the 
         amount of any taxes required to be withheld by any governmental 
         authority.

11.      EMPLOYMENT

                  Nothing in the Plan or in any Incentive Award shall confer (or
         be deemed to confer) upon any  Participant the right to continue in the
         employ of the  Corporation,  a Division or an  affiliate,  or interfere
         with or restrict in any way the rights of the  Corporation,  a Division
         or an affiliate to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason
         whatsoever, with or without cause.

12.      SUCCESSORS

                  All obligations of the Corporation under the Plan with respect
         to  Incentive  Awards  granted  hereunder  shall  be  binding  upon any
         successor to the  Corporation,  whether such successor is the result of
         an  acquisition  of stock or assets  of the  Corporation,  a merger,  a
         consolidation or otherwise.

13.      TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN; GOVERNING LAW

                  The Committee, subject to the ratification rights of the Board
         of  Directors,  has the right to suspend or  terminate  the Plan at any
         time, or to amend the Plan in any respect, provided that no such action
         will,  without  the  consent  of a  Participant,  adversely  affect the
         Participant's  rights under an Incentive  Award  approved under Section
         6.2. The Plan shall be interpreted  and construed under the laws of the
         State of Georgia.

                  AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS OF THE  CORPORATION  ON
THE 22nd DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1998.


<TABLE>
                                                                         Page 51
                                                                      Exhibit 13
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


                                                                                                             August 31
<S>                                                                                               <C>                   <C>
In thousands, except share and per share data)                                                          1998                  1997

Assets
Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                                                                   $     19,146          $     57,123
      Short-term investments                                                                                 -               205,302
      Receivables, less reserves for doubtful accounts of $4,631 in 1998 and $4,302 in 1997            307,140               258,689
      Inventories, at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market                     197,950               179,046
      Linens in service, net of amortization                                                            58,826                60,805
      Deferred income taxes                                                                             17,542                13,077
      Prepayments                                                                                        6,447                 6,716
           Total Current Assets                                                                        607,051               780,758

Property, Plant, and Equipment, at cost:
      Land                                                                                              21,450                19,911
      Buildings and leasehold improvements                                                             150,326               138,933
      Machinery and equipment                                                                          485,271               434,194
           Total Property, Plant, and Equipment                                                        657,047               593,038
      Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization                                                 385,176               356,308
           Property, Plant, and Equipment - net                                                        271,871               236,730


Other Assets:
      Goodwill and other intangibles                                                                    88,280                50,166
      Other                                                                                             43,482                38,698
           Total Other Assets                                                                          131,762                88,864
                Total Assets                                                                        $1,010,684            $1,106,352

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Page 52
                                                                      Exhibit 13
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.

<TABLE>

                                                                                                             August 31
<S>                                                                                             <C>                   <C>
(In thousands, except share and per share data)                                                         1998                  1997

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
      Current maturities of long-term debt                                                      $           98        $          116
      Notes payable                                                                                      7,883                 5,773
      Accounts payable                                                                                  95,217               101,512
      Accrued salaries, commissions, and bonuses                                                        34,820                34,776
      Current portion of self-insurance reserves                                                        11,253                12,540
      Accrued taxes payable                                                                                  -                38,351
      Other accrued liabilities                                                                         72,724                88,932
           Total Current Liabilities                                                                   221,995               282,000
Long-Term Debt, less current maturities                                                                 78,092                26,197
Deferred Income Taxes                                                                                   40,404                34,093
Self-Insurance Reserves, less current portion                                                           44,573                57,056
Other Long-Term Liabilities                                                                             46,719                35,193
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4)

Stockholders' Equity:
      Series A participating  preferred stock, $.05 stated value, 500,000 shares
       authorized,  none issued  
      Preferred  stock,  no par value,  500,000 shares authorized, none issued
      Common stock, $1 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 57,918,978 shares
       issued in 1998 and 1997                                                                          57,919                57,919
      Paid-in capital                                                                                   28,521                25,521
      Retained earnings                                                                                892,617               841,045
                                                                                                       979,057               924,485
Less - Treasury stock, at cost (16,457,340 shares in 1998 and 13,719,834 shares in 1997)               400,156               252,672
      Total Stockholders' Equity                                                                       578,901               671,813
           Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                               $1,010,684            $1,106,352

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these balance sheets.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                                         Page 53
                                                                      Exhibit 13
       
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


                                                                                              Years Ended August 31
<S>                                                                                                       <C>                    <C>
(In thousands, except per share data)                                            1998                  1997                  1996

Sales and Service Revenues:
      Net sales of products                                                  $1,718,564             $1,542,644            $1,482,937
      Service revenues                                                          312,746                493,535               530,625

           Total Revenues                                                     2,031,310              2,036,179             2,013,562

Costs and Expenses:
      Cost of products sold                                                   1,044,215                945,794              933,405
      Cost of services                                                          183,470                283,024              304,381
      Selling and administrative expenses                                       634,061                633,740              616,513
      Interest expense, net                                                         749                  1,624                1,565
      Gain on sale of businesses                                                 (2,449)               (75,097)              (7,579)
      Restructuring expense, asset impairments, and other charges                   -                   63,091                  -
      Other (income) expense, net                                                (1,857)                 4,925                3,429

           Total Costs and Expenses                                           1,858,189              1,857,101            1,851,714

Income before Provision for Income Taxes                                        173,121                179,078              161,848
Provision for Income Taxes                                                       64,401                 71,800               60,700

Net Income                                                                   $  108,720             $  107,278            $ 101,148

Basic Earnings per Share                                                     $     2.56             $     2.37            $    2.11

Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding                              42,462                 45,191               47,941

Diluted Earnings per Share                                                   $     2.53             $     2.36            $    2.10

Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding                            43,022                 45,534               48,189




</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

Page 54
                                                                      Exhibit 13
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                        National Service Industries, Inc.

<S>                                                                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>

(In thousands, except share and per share data)                                     Common   Paid-in  Retained  Treasury
                                                                                     Stock   Capital  Earnings   Stock       Total

Balance August 31, 1995                                                              $57,919  $ 8,065 $746,256 $  (67,836)$ 744,404
      Treasury stock purchased (1)                                                      -        -       -        (75,223)  (75,223)
      Stock options exercised (2)                                                       -       2,956    -            760     3,716
      Net income                                                                        -        -     101,148        -     101,148
      Cash dividends of $1.15 per share paid on common stock                            -        -     (55,272)       -     (55,272)
      Adjustment to recognize net increase in pension liability                         -        -         (23)       -         (23)
      Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           -        -        (742)       -        (742)

Balance August 31, 1996                                                               57,919   11,021  791,367   (142,299)  718,008
      Treasury stock purchased (3)                                                      -        -       -       (121,668) (121,668)
      Stock options exercised (4)                                                       -       2,588    -          2,685     5,273
      Treasury stock issued in connection with acquisition (5)                          -      11,912    -          8,610    20,522
      Net income                                                                        -        -     107,278        -     107,278
      Cash dividends of $1.19 per share paid on common stock                            -        -     (54,222)       -     (54,222)
      Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           -        -      (3,378)       -      (3,378)

Balance August 31, 1997                                                               57,919   25,521  841,045   (252,672)  671,813
      Treasury stock purchased (6)                                                      -        -        -      (154,032) (154,032)
      Stock options exercised (7)                                                       -         625     -         3,305     3,930
      Treasury stock issued in connection with acquisition (8) `                        -       2,104     -         2,896     5,000
      Employee Stock Purchase Plan issuances (9)                                        -         271     -           347       618
      Net income                                                                        -        -     108,720        -     108,720
      Cash dividends of $1.23 per share paid on common stock                            -        -     (52,603)       -     (52,603)
      Adjustment to recognize net increase in pension liability                         -        -         (17)       -         (17)
      Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           -        -      (4,528)       -      (4,528)

Balance August 31, 1998                                                              $57,919  $28,521 $892,617  $(400,156)$ 578,901

</TABLE>


(1)2,000,000 shares. (2)185,044 shares. (3)3,000,000 shares.  (4)190,330 shares.
(5)536,872 shares. (6) 3,025,162 shares. (7) 142,568 shares. (8) 130,804 shares.
(9) 14,284 shares.


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                                                         Page 55
                                                                      Exhibit 13
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


                                                                                                         Years Ended August 31
<S>                                                                                               <C>         <C>        <C>

(In thousands)                                                                                      1998         1997        1996

Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities
      Net income                                                                                  $108,720     $107,278   $ 101,148
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
           Depreciation and amortization                                                            48,846       57,981      58,428
           Provision for losses on accounts receivable                                               3,558        2,276       2,708
           (Gain) loss on the sale of property, plant, and equipment                                (3,400)       1,233      (1,652)
           Gain on the sale of businesses                                                           (2,449)     (75,097)     (7,579)
           Restructuring expense, asset impairments, and other charges                                 -         63,091         -
           Change in non-current deferred income taxes                                               6,311      (25,219)      1,864
           Change in assets and liabilities net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures -
                Receivables                                                                        (46,151)     (11,993)     (7,343)
                Inventories and linens in service, net                                             (15,647)     (11,286)      5,308
                Current deferred income taxes                                                       (4,383)     (10,926)      8,069
                Prepayments                                                                            578           47        (940)
                Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                           (65,696)      30,941      (6,117)
                Self-insurance reserves and other long-term liabilities                               (957)        (758)       (895)

                      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                     29,330      127,568     152,999



Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities
      Change in short-term investments                                                             205,302     (204,751)      3,047
      Purchases of property, plant, and equipment                                                  (82,034)     (48,806     (65,499)
      Sale of property, plant, and equipment                                                         6,814        5,370       9,105
      Sale of businesses                                                                             3,064      311,382      15,250
      Acquisitions                                                                                 (45,305)      (4,320)       (600)
      Change in other assets                                                                        (5,381)       2,972      (3,071)

           Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities                                   $ 82,460     $ 61,847   $ (41,768)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

Page 56
                                                                      Exhibit 13

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


                                                                                                            Years Ended August 31
<S>                                                                                              <C>      <C>           <C>
(In thousands)                                                                                      1998      1997         1996

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
      Borrowings (repayments) of short-term debt, net                                            $     805 $    (11,021)$      -
      Borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt, net                                                51,043       (4,627)     (1,897)
      Recovery of investment in tax benefits                                                           -            661       1,720
      Deferred income taxes from investment in tax benefits                                            -         (1,972)     (4,273)
      Purchase of treasury stock, net                                                             (144,484)    (116,395)    (71,507)
      Cash dividends paid                                                                          (52,603)     (54,222)    (55,272)

           Net Cash Used for Financing Activities                                                 (145,239)    (187,576)   (131,229)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash                                                             (4,528)      (3,378)       (742)

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                            (37,977)      (1,539)    (20,740)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year                                                      57,123       58,662      79,402

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year                                                         $  19,146 $     57,123 $    58,662

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
      Income taxes paid during the year                                                          $ 100,270 $     68,475 $    58,974
      Interest paid during the year                                                                  7,025        5,614       4,994

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
      Noncash aspects of sale of businesses-
           Receivables incurred                                                                  $    -    $        391 $       234
           Liabilities assumed                                                                         166       22,637       1,009
      Noncash aspects of acquisitions -
           Liabilities assumed or incurred                                                       $   5,885 $     22,440 $         6
           Treasury stock issued                                                                     5,000       20,522         -

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these statements.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 57
                                                                      Exhibit 13

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        National Service Industries, Inc.



(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Note 1:  Summary of Accounting Policies

Description of Business
The company operates in four business segments - lighting equipment,  chemicals,
textile  rental,  and  envelopes  -  which  are  leading  competitors  in  their
respective  markets.  The  lighting  equipment  segment  produces  a variety  of
fluorescent  and  non-fluorescent  fixtures  for markets  throughout  the United
States, Canada, Mexico, and overseas. The chemical segment produces maintenance,
sanitation,  and water  treatment  products for customers  throughout the United
States,  Canada, Puerto Rico, Western Europe, and Australia.  The textile rental
segment  provides linens and dust control products to healthcare,  lodging,  and
dining customer  segments in the United States.  The envelope  segment  produces
business and specialty envelopes in the Northeast, South, and Southwest.

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of the company and
all subsidiaries after elimination of significant intercompany  transactions and
accounts.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities,  the  disclosure  of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial  statements,  and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments
Cash in excess of daily requirements is invested in time deposits and marketable
securities  and is included in the balance  sheet at market  value.  The company
considers  time deposits and  marketable  securities  purchased with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Investments  purchased
with a maturity  of more than three  months and less than a year are  considered
short-term investments. There were no short-term investments at August 31, 1998.
The carrying  amount of short-term  investments at August 31, 1997  approximated
fair value and consisted  primarily of corporate debt  securities and commercial
paper.  In  accordance  with the  criteria  specified  by Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 115,  "Accounting for Certain  Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities," these investments were classified as "available for
sale."


Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the
wide variety of  customers  and markets  into which the  company's  products and
services  are  provided,  as well as  their  dispersion  across  many  different
geographic  areas.  As a result,  as of August 31,  1998,  the company  does not
consider itself to have any significant concentrations of credit risk.

Inventories  and Linens in Service  
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (on a first-in,  first-out basis) or
market and consisted of the following at August 31, 1998 and 1997:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>
                                                         1998                1997

Raw materials and supplies                            $  78,730            $  71,266
Work in progress                                         10,725               10,572
Finished goods                                          108,495               97,208
                                                      $ 197,950            $ 179,046

</TABLE>

      Linens in  service  are  recorded  at cost and are  amortized  over  their
estimated useful lives of 15 to 50 months.

Goodwill and Other  Intangibles  
Goodwill of $3,460 was recognized in connection  with a 1969  acquisition and is
not being amortized.  Remaining amounts of goodwill ($71,059 in 1998 and $34,974
in 1997) and other  intangible  assets are being  amortized  on a  straight-line
basis over various periods ranging from 10 to 40 years.
     The company  periodically  evaluates whether events and circumstances  have
occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful lives of goodwill and
other long-lived  assets or whether the remaining  balance of goodwill should be
evaluated  for  possible  impairment.  The  company  uses an estimate of related
undiscounted  cash flows over the  remaining  life of the  goodwill in measuring
whether the goodwill is  recoverable.  During  fiscal  1997,  goodwill and other
intangibles  of $8,800 were  written  off due to the  impairment  of  long-lived
assets (See Note 5: Restructuring Expense and Asset Impairments).

Depreciation
For financial  reporting purposes,  depreciation is determined  principally on a
straight-line  basis using estimated  useful lives of plant and equipment (25 to
45 years for  buildings and 3 to 16 years for  machinery  and  equipment)  while
accelerated  depreciation  methods are used for income tax  purposes.  Leasehold
improvements  are amortized over the life of the lease or the useful life of the
improvement, whichever is shorter.
<PAGE>
Page 58
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


Foreign Currency Translation
The  functional  currency  for the  company's  foreign  operations  is the local
currency.  The translation of foreign  currencies into U.S. dollars is performed
for balance sheet  accounts  using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet
date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate
during  the  period.  The  gains or  losses,  net of  applicable  income  taxes,
resulting  from the  translation  are  included  in  retained  earnings  and are
excluded from net income.
      Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency  transactions are included
in "Other (income)  expense,  net" in the consolidated  statements of income and
are not material.

Postretirement Healthcare and Life Insurance Benefits
The  company's   retiree   medical  plans  are  financed   entirely  by  retiree
contributions;  therefore, the company has no liability in connection with them.
Several programs provide limited retiree life insurance benefits.  The liability
for these plans is not material.

Postemployment Benefits
SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment  Benefits," requires the
accrual of the estimated  cost of benefits  provided by an employer to former or
inactive  employees  after  employment  but  before  retirement.  The  company's
accrual,  which is not material,  relates primarily to severance  agreements and
the liability for life insurance coverage for certain eligible employees.

Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
The company has several  pension plans covering  hourly and salaried  employees.
Benefits  paid under  these plans are based  generally  on  employees'  years of
service and/or  compensation  during the final years of employment.  The company
makes  annual  contributions  to the plans to the extent  indicated by actuarial
valuations.  Plan  assets are  invested  primarily  in equity  and fixed  income
securities.
      Net  pension  income  for 1998,  1997,  and 1996  included  the  following
components:

<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>
                                                    1998          1997         1996

Service cost of benefits earned during the     
period                                        $    3,091   $    3,636        $   2,719
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation      8,509        8,505            7,438
Return on plan assets                            (26,435)     (12,393)         (28,255)                     
Net amortization and deferral                     13,459         (768)          17,383


Net pension income                            $   (1,376)  $   (1,020)       $    (715)



</TABLE>


     The following schedule reconciles the funded status of the plans as of June
1, 1998 and 1997, with amounts  reported in the company's  consolidated  balance
sheets at August 31, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>

                                               1998                      1997
                                     
                                         Plan      Accumulated     Plan      Accumulated
                                        Assets       Benefit      Assets      Benefit
                                        Exceed     Obligation     Exceed     Obligation
                                     Accumulated     Exceeds    Accumulated   Exceeds
                                       Benefit        Plan        Benefit       Plan
                                      Obligation     Assets     Obligation     Assets

Actuarial present value of benefit
obligations
    as of June 1:                                        
    Vested                               $(102,101)    $ (5,804)    $(87,929)$   (5,123)
    Nonvested                               (8,507)        (104)     (10,180)       (20)

Accumulated benefit obligation            (110,608)      (5,908)     (98,109)    (5,143)
Effect of projected salary increases        (5,852)      (2,177)      (5,379)    (1,195)                            

Total projected benefit obligation        (116,460)      (8,085)    (103,488)    (6,338)
Fair value of plan assets                  150,101         -         133,214        -

Plan assets greater (less) than
    projected benefit obligation            33,641      (8,085)       29,726     (6,338)
Unrecognized transition (asset)liability    (5,089)          49      (7,059)         61
Unrecognized prior service cost obligation   1,755        2,393        1,873      2,208
Unrecognized net loss (gain)                 8,829           34        9,891       (896)
Adjustment required to recognize
    minimum liability                          -           (892)         -         (596)
Prepaid  (accrued) pension expense at
August 31                                  $39,136     $ (6,501)    $ 34,431 $   (5,561)
</TABLE>


      For all periods presented,  the assumed growth rate of compensation is 5.5
percent and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 9.5 percent.
During  1998,  the  discount  rate  used  to  determine  the  projected  benefit
obligation was decreased from 8 percent to 7 percent to more closely approximate
rates on high-quality, long-term obligations.
      The  company  also has  profit  sharing  and  401(k)  plans to which  both
employees and the company  contribute.  At August 31, 1998, assets of the 401(k)
plans  included  shares of the  company's  common  stock with a market  value of
approximately  $14,797.  The  company's  cost of these plans was $4,292 in 1998,
$5,020 in 1997, and $4,595 in 1996.

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 59
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense,  net, is comprised  primarily of interest expense on long-term
debt,  credit  facility  borrowings,  and line of  credit  borrowings  offset by
interest income on cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.


Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other  (income)  expense,   net,  is  comprised  primarily  of  amortization  of
intangible  assets net of gains resulting from the sale of fixed assets in 1998,
1997,  and 1996.  Other  (income)  expense,  net,  also  included  casualty loss
insurance proceeds in 1996.

Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted
During  fiscal 1999,  the company is required to adopt SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income."  SFAS No. 130 requires the reporting of a measure of all
changes in equity of an entity  that  result from  recognized  transactions  and
other economic events other than  transactions  with owners in their capacity as
owners.  In the  opinion  of  management,  the  adoption  of SFAS No. 130 is not
expected to have a material  impact on the  company's  manner of  reporting  the
components of comprehensive income.
      During  fiscal  1999,  the  company is  required  to adopt  SFAS No.  131,
"Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information."  SFAS No.
131 requires the reporting of financial information on the basis that it is used
internally for evaluating segment performance and the allocation of resources to
segments.  In the  opinion of  management,  the  adoption of SFAS No. 131 is not
expected  to  have a  material  impact  on the  company's  manner  of  reporting
information about its segments.
      During  fiscal  1999,  the  company is  required  to adopt  SFAS No.  132,
"Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement  Benefits." SFAS
No.  132  amends  SFAS Nos.  87, 88,  and 106 by  standardizing  the  disclosure
requirements  for  pensions  and  other   postretirement   benefits,   requiring
additional information on changes in benefit obligations and fair values of plan
assets, and eliminating certain other disclosures.
      SFAS  No.  133,   "Accounting  for  Derivative   Instruments  and  Hedging
Activities," was issued in June of 1998 and is effective for all fiscal quarters
of fiscal years  beginning  after June 15, 1999.  However,  the company does not
currently  participate in any hedging activities,  nor does it utilize any other
derivative financial instruments.

Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the financial  statements and notes have been reclassified to
conform with the 1998 presentation.

Note 2:  Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit

Long-term debt at August 31, 1998 and 1997, consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>

                                                                 1998      1997

6.5% to 9.25% mortgage notes, payable in installments through
  2000 (secured in part by property, plant, and equipment            
  having a  net book value of $228 at August 31, 1998)          $    45 $    86                                  
3.4% to 8.5%  other notes, payable in installments to 2026       78,145  26,227
                                                                 78,190  26,313
Less-Amounts payable within one year included in current            
  liabilities                                                        98     116
                                                                $78,092 $26,197

</TABLE>


     The annual  principal  payments of long-term debt for the five-year  period
ending August 31, 2003 are: 1999 - $98;  2000 - $108;  2001 - $106;  2002 - $95;
2003 - $102.
     In 1996, the company negotiated a $250,000 multi-currency  committed credit
facility (the "Credit Facility") with ten domestic and international  banks. The
Credit  Facility  has a term of five  years,  expiring  in  July  2001,  with no
provision  for  reduction  in   commitments.   The  Credit   Facility   contains
restrictions  on the  incurrence of  indebtedness  by  subsidiaries,  as well as
financial and other covenants,  including  restrictions that the company's ratio
of total debt to capitalization may not exceed 60 percent at any time.
     The company has complimentary lines of credit totaling $122,000 for general
operating purposes,  of which $22,000 is available on a multi-currency basis. On
August 31, 1998, the company borrowed  $52,000 under the $100,000  domestic line
of credit.  Subsequent to the company's  fiscal year end, these  borrowings were
repaid  through  borrowings  on the Credit  Facility.  This  borrowing  has been
classified as noncurrent because it is the company's intention to refinance this
obligation on a long-term basis. In addition,  $28,390 in letters of credit were
outstanding at August 31, 1998 under the domestic line of credit.  At August 31,
1998, the company had foreign  currency  short-term  bank  borrowings  under the
$22,000 line of credit  equivalent to $7,883 at a weighted average interest rate
of 4.91  percent.  
     Long-term  debt recorded in the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets
approximates fair value based on the borrowing rates currently  available to the
company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities.
<PAGE>
Page 60
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


Note 3:  Common Stock and Related Matters

Shareholder Rights Plan
The  company has a  shareholder  rights  plan under  which one  preferred  stock
purchase right is presently  attached to and trades with each outstanding  share
of the company's common stock. The plan, which was to have expired May 19, 1998,
was amended and extended to May 19, 2008.
      The rights become exercisable and transferable apart from the common stock
(a) on the date that a person or group  announces  that  they have  acquired  15
percent or more of the company's  common stock or (b) ten days after a person or
group makes an  unsolicited  offer to acquire  beneficial  ownership  of, or the
right to obtain  beneficial  ownership  of, 15 percent or more of the  company's
common stock  (unless such date is extended by the Board of Directors) or (c) 20
business  days  before the date on which a business  combination  is  reasonably
expected to be consummated  involving a person who, if the business  combination
is consummated,  has or would acquire  beneficial  ownership of, or the right to
obtain beneficial ownership of, 15 percent or more of the company's common stock
and that person has directly or  indirectly  nominated a director of the company
at the time the business combination is considered. The rights are not triggered
if the Board of Directors is notified  that  reaching the trigger  threshold was
inadvertent  and  divestiture  of  sufficient  stock is  thereafter  made.  Once
exercisable, each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-thousandth share
of Series A Participating  Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $160, subject
to adjustment to prevent  dilution.  The rights have no voting power and,  until
exercised,  no dilutive effect on net income per common share. The rights expire
on May 19, 2008, and are redeemable under certain circumstances.
      If a person  acquires 15 percent  ownership,  except in an offer  approved
under the plan by a majority of the nonemployee directors,  each right not owned
by the acquirer or related  parties will entitle its holder to purchase,  at the
right's exercise price, common stock or common stock equivalents having a market
value  immediately  prior to the  triggering of the right of twice that exercise
price.  In  addition,  after an acquirer  obtains 15 percent  ownership,  if the
company is involved in certain mergers,  business combinations,  or asset sales,
each right not owned by the acquirer or related  persons will entitle its holder
to purchase,  at the right's exercise price, shares of common stock of the other
party  to the  transaction  having  a  market  value  immediately  prior  to the
triggering of the right of twice that exercise price. Rights may not be redeemed
for a  365-day  period  following  a  change  in the  majority  of the  Board of
Directors if the redemption  would  facilitate a transaction with the person who
caused the change of control of the Board of Directors.

Preferred Stock
The company has 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, 500,000 of which
have been reserved for issuance under the shareholder  rights plan. No shares of
preferred stock had been issued at August 31, 1998 and 1997.

Earnings per Share
During fiscal 1998, the company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." SFAS
No. 128 supersedes Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 15, "Earnings
per Share," and  promulgates  new accounting  standards for the  computation and
manner of presentation of the company's  earnings per share. Upon adoption,  the
company was required to restate previously  reported annual and interim earnings
per share in  accordance  with the  provisions  of SFAS No. 128. The adoption of
SFAS No.  128 did not have a  material  impact on the  computation  or manner of
presentation of the company's  earnings per share as previously  presented under
APB 15.
     The  following  table  represents  a  reconciliation  of basic and  diluted
earnings per share at August 31:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
 
                                                            1998          1997          1996

Basic weighted average shares outstanding                  42,462        45,191        47,941
Add:   Shares  of  common  stock  assumed issued upon   
       exercise of  stock options                             560           343           248
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                43,022        45,534        48,189 
Net earnings used in the  computation  of
      basic  and  diluted   earnings  per     
      share                                             $ 108,720     $ 107,278     $ 101,148
Earnings per Share:
      Basic                                             $    2.56     $    2.37     $    2.11
      Diluted                                           $    2.53     $    2.36     $    2.10
                                           
</TABLE>

Stock-based Compensation
In 1990,  the  stockholders  approved  the  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.
Long-Term Incentive Program for the benefit of officers and other key employees.
There were 1,750,000 treasury shares reserved for issuance under the program.
      In 1997, the stockholders  approved the National Service Industries,  Inc.
Long-Term  Achievement  Incentive Plan for the benefit of officers and other key
employees. There were 1,750,000 treasury shares reserved for issuance under that
plan.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 61
                                                                      Exhibit 13
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


     The  stock  options  granted  under  both  the  incentive  programs  become
exercisable in four equal annual  installments  beginning one year from the date
of the grant.
     In January 1993, the stockholders approved the National Service Industries,
Inc. 1992 Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan, under which 100,000 treasury
shares were  reserved for issuance.  The stock  options  granted under that plan
become  exercisable one year from the date of the grant.  
     Under all stock option plans, the options expire ten years from the date of
the grant  and have an  exercise  price  equal to the fair  market  value of the
company's  stock on the date of the grant.  At August 31,  shares  available for
issuance under all plans were 1,236,574 in 1998,  1,732,574 in 1997, and 300,408
in 1996.  
     Stock  option  transactions  for the stock  option  plans and stock  option
agreements  during the years  ended  August  31,  1998,  1997,  and 1996 were as
follows:
 <TABLE>

                                          Outstanding                Exercisable
                                    
                                                 Weighted                  Weighted
                                    Number of    Average      Number of     Average
                                      Shares  Exercise Price    Shares  Exercise Price
<S>                                <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
                                    
Outstanding at August 31, 1995     1,088,773      $   24.89
      Granted                        513,200      $   32.06
      Exercised                     (185,044)     $   24.01
      Cancelled                     (150,886)     $   26.19
                                    
Outstanding at August 31, 1996     1,266,043      $   27.74    466,377        $   25.76
                                    
      Granted                        324,500      $   37.96
      Exercised                     (196,115)     $   25.96
      Cancelled                       (7,214)     $   31.46
                                    
Outstanding at August 31, 1997     1,387,214      $   30.35    731,914        $   27.11
                                    
      Granted                        500,000      $   44.50
      Exercised                     (142,568)     $   26.32
      Cancelled                            -            -
                                           
                                    
Outstanding at August 31, 1998     1,744,646      $   34.74    876,721        $   29.05
                                    
Range of option exercise prices:
      $19.75-$39.75                 
      (average life-6.3 years)     1,247,646      $   30.85    876,721        $   29.05
      $44.25-$59.44                   
      (average life-9.1 years)       497,000      $   44.50        -                -


</TABLE>





      During fiscal 1997, the company adopted the disclosure-only  provisions of
SFAS  No.  123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation."  Accordingly,  no
compensation  cost has  been  recognized  for  these  stock  option  plans.  Had
compensation  cost for the company's stock option plans been determined based on
the fair value at the grant date for awards in fiscal years 1998, 1997, and 1996
consistent  with the  provisions  of SFAS No. 123, the  company's net income and
earnings per share would have been reduced to the following  pro forma  amounts:
<TABLE> 
<S>                                     <C>          <C>            <C>  
                                          1998          1997          1996

Pro Forma Information:
   Net income                            $106,297      $105,793      $100,284
   Basic earnings per share              $   2.50      $   2.34      $   2.09
   Diluted earnings per share            $   2.47      $   2.32      $   2.08

</TABLE>

      The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of the grant
using the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model. The weighted average grant date
fair value of options was $12.23,  $9.69,  and $6.08 for 1998,  1997,  and 1996,
respectively.  The following weighted average  assumptions were used to estimate
fair value:
                                               1998          1997          1996

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>           <C>                <C>
Dividend yield                            2.809%        3.350%                4.009%
Expected volatility                        18.1%         16.8%                 15.3%
Risk-free interest rate                    6.10%         6.73%                 6.10%
Expected life of options                  10 years      10 years            10 years
Turnover rate                               5.0%          5.0%                  5.0%

</TABLE>

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 1998,  the  stockholders  approved  the  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.
Employee  Stock Purchase Plan for the benefit of eligible  employees.  Under the
plan,  employees may purchase,  through payroll deduction,  the company's common
stock at a 15 percent discount.  Shares are purchased quarterly at 85 percent of
the lower of the fair market  value of the  company's  common stock on the first
business  day of the  quarterly  plan period or on the last  business day of the
quarterly  plan  period.  There were  1,500,000  treasury  shares  reserved  for
purchase under the plan.
<PAGE>
Page 62
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.



Note 4:  Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance
It is the policy of the  company  to self  insure for  certain  insurable  risks
consisting  primarily  of  physical  loss to  property;  business  interruptions
resulting from such loss; and workers' compensation,  comprehensive general, and
auto liability.  Insurance  coverage is obtained for  catastrophic  property and
casualty  exposures  as well as those  risks  required  to be  insured by law or
contract.  Based on an independent actuary's estimate of the aggregate liability
for claims incurred,  a provision for claims under the  self-insured  program is
recorded and revised annually.

Leases
The company  leases certain of its buildings and equipment  under  noncancelable
lease agreements.  Minimum lease payments under  noncancelable  leases for years
subsequent to August 31, 1998,  are as follows:  1999 - $11,902;  2000 - $9,762;
2001 - $7,201; 2002 - $5,680; 2003 - $4,737; after 2003 - $9,109.
      Total rent  expense was $12,237 in 1998,  $11,327 in 1997,  and $10,907 in
1996.

Collective Bargaining Agreements
Approximately  50  percent  of the  company's  total  work  force is  covered by
collective bargaining agreements.  Collective bargaining agreements representing
30 percent of the company's total work force will expire within one year.

Litigation
The company is involved in various legal matters primarily arising in the normal
course of business. In the opinion of management, the company's liability in any
of these  matters  will not have a  material  adverse  effect  on its  financial
condition or results of operations.

Environmental Matters
The company's  operations,  as well as other similar operations,  are subject to
comprehensive  laws  and  regulations  relating  to  the  generation,   storage,
handling,  transportation,  and disposal of hazardous  substances  and solid and
hazardous  wastes and to the  remediation  of  contaminated  sites.  Permits and
environmental  controls are required for certain of the company's  operations to
prevent air and water pollution,  and these permits are subject to modification,
renewal, and revocation by issuing authorities.  The company believes that it is
in substantial compliance with all material environmental laws, regulations, and
its permits. On an ongoing basis, the company incurs capital and operating costs
relating to environmental  compliance.  Environmental  laws and regulations have
generally  become stricter in recent years, and the cost of responding to future
changes may be substantial. 
     The company's  environmental reserves totaled $12,600 and $17,100 at August
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  The actual cost of environmental issues may be
substantially  lower or  higher  than that  reserved  due to the  difficulty  in
estimating   such  costs,   potential   changes  in  the  status  of  government
regulations,  and the inability to determine  the extent to which  contributions
will be available from other parties. The company does not believe that any such
amount  below or in excess of that  accrued  is  reasonably  estimable.  
     Certain environmental laws, such as Superfund, can impose liability for the
entire cost of site  remediation  upon each of the  current or former  owners or
operators  of a site or  parties  who sent  waste to a site where a release of a
hazardous  substance has occurred  regardless of fault or the  lawfulness of the
original disposal activity.  Generally,  where there are a number of financially
viable potentially responsible parties ("PRPs"),  liability has been apportioned
based on the type and amount of waste disposed of by each party at such disposal
site and the number of financially viable parties,  although no assurance can be
given as to any  particular  site.  
     The  company is  currently  a party to, or  otherwise  involved  in,  legal
proceedings in connection with several state and federal Superfund sites, two of
which are  located  on  property  owned by the  company.  Except  for the Crymes
Landfill matter in Georgia,  the company believes its liability is de minimis at
each of the sites which it does not own where it has been named as a PRP. At the
Crymes Landfill Site, since the matter is currently in the investigative  phase,
the company does not know whether its  liability is de minimis but believes that
its exposure at the site is not likely to result in a material adverse effect on
the  company.  For the property  which the company  owns on Seaboard  Industrial
Boulevard   in  Atlanta,   Georgia,   the  company  has  agreed  to  conduct  an
investigation on its and adjoining  properties pursuant to the Georgia Hazardous
Site Response Act. Until that  investigation is completed,  the company will not
be able to determine  if  remediation  will be required,  if the company will be
solely  responsible  for the cost of such  remediation,  or whether such cost is
likely to result in a material  adverse effect on the company.  For the property
which the company owns on East Paris Street in Tampa,  Florida,  the company has
been  requested  by the  State  of  Florida  to  clean  up  chlorinated  solvent
contamination  in the  groundwater on the property and on  surrounding  property
known as Seminole  Heights Solvent Site and to reimburse costs already  incurred
by the State of Florida in connection with such
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 63
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


contamination.  The company  believes that it has a strong defense due to likely
off- site  sources  of the  contamination  and  because  contamination  from the
property, if any, was due to prior owners and not the company's operations.  The
company  plans to meet with the State of  Florida in the near  future  regarding
this matter.  At this time, it is too early to quantify the company's  potential
exposure  or the  likelihood  of an adverse  result.  
     The company is currently evaluating emissions of volatile organic compounds
from its  manufacturing  operations in the Atlanta area to determine  whether it
will need to install  pollution  control  equipment or modify its  operations to
comply  with  federal  and state air  pollution  regulations.  Until the current
evaluations are completed, the company is not able to quantify the possible cost
of compliance.  However, based upon currently available information, the company
does not expect any expenditures which may have to be made to achieve compliance
to be material.  
     In  connection  with the sale of the  North  Bros.  business  and 29 of the
company's  textile  rental  plants in 1997,  the  company has  retained  certain
environmental liabilities. The company has received notice from the buyer of the
textile rental plants of the alleged presence of perchloroethylene contamination
on one of the properties involved in the sale. The company has since asserted an
indemnification  claim against the company from which it bought the property. At
this time, it is too early to quantify the company's  potential exposure in this
matter, the likelihood of an adverse result, or the possibility that the company
may be fully or  partially  indemnified.  
     In November  1997, the  Environmental  Protection  Agency ("EPA")  proposed
stringent new wastewater  discharge limits,  which would become effective in the
future,  that could apply to certain facilities  operated by the company.  While
the  company  does  not  believe  that  these  regulations  should  apply to its
operations, if the regulations are adopted as proposed,  following adoption, the
company's  cost to  comply  with  them  could be as much as  $6,000 to $9,000 of
equipment  expenditures spread over a three-year period,  which the company does
not  believe  would  be  material  to its  financial  condition  or  results  of
operations.

Note 5:  Restructuring Expense and Asset Impairments

During  1997,  the company  conducted  reviews of the textile  rental,  European
chemical,   and  corporate  operations  as  a  part  of  management's  strategic
initiatives to examine  under-performing  operations and to position the company
for  growth.  As a result of the  reviews,  the company  approved a  significant
restructuring  program and recorded a related charge of $9,600 during the fourth
quarter.  The accrual included severance and union-related costs totaling $2,950
for 120 employees of the textile  rental,  chemical,  and envelope  segments and
$6,650  in exit  expenses  to  close  certain  facilities  and  consolidate  the
operations of others in the textile rental segment.  Exit expenses include costs
of unexpired leases,  costs to dispose of facilities,  and costs of personnel to
effect the closures and  consolidations.  The  severance  accrual was reduced by
payments of $205 in 1997 and $2,115 in 1998. Plant  consolidation  payments were
$1,910 in 1997 and $390 in 1998. 
     As a further result of the 1997 reviews, the company recognized  long-lived
asset impairments  totaling $43,500.  Textile rental assets to be disposed of in
under-performing  branches  were  reduced  by  $22,300  to  state  them at their
estimated  fair value less costs to sell.  The remaining net book value of these
assets is immaterial.  Fixed assets held for use by the textile rental, European
chemical,  and corporate  units were reduced by $12,400 and related  intangibles
were reduced by $8,800.  Impairments  were recognized for those assets where the
sum of  estimated  undiscounted  future  cash  flows was less than the  carrying
amount of the  assets,  including  related  goodwill.  Fair  market  values were
established based on independent appraisals,  comparable sales or purchases, and
expected future cash flows discounted at the company's cost of capital.  Factors
leading to the  impairments  were a  combination  of the  results of the reviews
discussed above,  historical  losses,  anticipated future losses, and inadequate
cash flows.  
     The losses  resulting  from the  accruals and  impairments  are included in
"Restructuring   expense,   asset   impairments,   and  other  charges"  in  the
consolidated statements of income.

Note 6:  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisition  spending in 1998 totaled  $45,305 and was primarily  related to the
chemical and envelope segments. In November 1997, the chemical segment purchased
Pure  Corporation,  a specialty  chemical  company with its core  businesses  in
Indiana,  Pennsylvania,  and New  York.  In March  1998,  the  envelope  segment
purchased  Allen  Envelope  Corporation,   a  single-plant,   Pennsylvania-based
envelope  manufacturer,  providing  the  segment  with  access to markets in the
Northeast.  In  July  1998,  the  company  purchased  Calman  Australia  Pty Ltd
("Calman").  Calman,  located  in  Victoria,  Australia  is  a  manufacturer  of
cleaning, maintenance,  sanitation and industrial products, chemicals, supplies,
and accessories.  Additionally,  the company paid certain  performance  payments
associated  with a prior year  chemical  acquisition.  Divestitures  during 1998
related  to the  textile  rental  segment  and  excess  properties  and were not
material.
<PAGE>
Page 64
                                                                      Exhibit 13

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


      In February 1997, the company sold the North Bros. insulation business for
$27,113 in cash. An immaterial  gain was realized on the sale.  The business had
1997 sales of $57,000 and operating income of $1,900.  Additionally,  immaterial
gains were  recognized as the company  divested  several  non-strategic  textile
rental locations.
      In July 1997, the company sold 29 textile rental plants to G & K Services,
Inc. at a pretax gain of $74,044. The following condensed pro forma consolidated
statements of income present reported results for the respective fiscal years to
remove both the gain on the transaction and the results of the operations sold:
<TABLE>


Condensed  Pro Forma  Consolidated  Statements  of Income      1997           1996
(Unaudited)

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>
Sales and Service Revenues                                  $1,859,653     $1,803,034
Other Costs and Expenses                                     1,708,672      1,648,460
Restructuring  Expense,  Asset  Impairments,   and  Other  
Charges                                                         63,091           --
Income before Provision for Income Taxes                        87,890        154,574
Provision for Income Taxes                                      32,172         57,988
Net Income                                                  $   55,718     $   96,586

Basic Earnings per Share                                         $1.23          $2.01
Basic  Weighted  Average  Number  of  Shares  Outstanding
 (thousands)                                                    45,191         47,941
Diluted Earnings per Share                                  $     1.22     $     2.00
Diluted  Weighted  Average  Number of Shares  Outstanding
 (thousands)                                                    45,534         48,189
</TABLE>


      The pro forma  statements are not necessarily  indicative of the financial
position  and  results  of  operations  that would  have been  attained  had the
divestiture  been  consummated on the dates indicated or that may be attained in
the future.
      In 1997, cash  acquisition  spending  totaled $4,320 and was the result of
the  chemical  segment's  purchase of chemical  products  companies  in Ohio and
Canada and the lighting  equipment  segment's  acquisition of a small  emergency
lighting products manufacturer in Canada. The company also issued 536,872 shares
valued at $20,522 to acquire Enforcer Products,  Inc. ("Enforcer"),  a specialty
chemical  company with a retail focus.  The  operating  results of Enforcer were
included in the  chemical  segment  beginning  with the third  quarter of fiscal
1997.
      Acquisitions  during 1996 related to the textile  rental  segment and were
not  material.  During  1996,  the company  divested  several  non-strategic  or
unprofitable  businesses,  primarily in the textile rental  segment,  generating
cash of $15,250.

Note 7:  Income Taxes

The company  accounts for income taxes using the asset and  liability  approach.
This approach  requires  recognition of deferred tax  liabilities and assets for
the expected  future tax  consequences  of events that have been included in the
financial  statements or tax returns.  Using the enacted tax rates in effect for
the  year in which  the  differences  are  expected  to  reverse,  deferred  tax
liabilities  and assets are  determined  based on the  differences  between  the
financial reporting and the tax basis of an asset or liability.
      The provision for income taxes consists of the following components:
<TABLE>

                                                            1998    1997     1996

<S>                                                      <C>      <C>      <C>
Provision for current Federal taxes                      $ 54,997 $ 94,426 $ 52,809
Provision for current state taxes                           3,143   11,994    5,275
Provision for current foreign taxes                         1,952    1,598    1,073
Provision (credit) for deferred taxes                       4,309  (36,218)   1,543

Total provision for income taxes                         $ 64,401 $ 71,800 $ 60,700
</TABLE>

      A  reconciliation  from the Federal  statutory rate to the total provision
for income taxes is as follows:
<TABLE>

                                                            1998    1997     1996
<S>                                                      <C>      <C>      <C>
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate            $ 60,592 $ 62,677 $ 56,647
State income tax, net of Federal income tax benefit         2,144    5,960    3,489
Foreign and other, net                                      1,665    3,163      564

Total provision for income taxes                         $64,401  $ 71,800 $ 60,700

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 65
                                                                      Exhibit 13

              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.



     Components of the net deferred  income tax liability at August 31, 1998 and
1997 include:
<TABLE>

                                                                    1998     1997

Deferred tax liabilities:
<S>                                                               <C>      <C>
     Depreciation                                                  $26,837  $28,839
     Amortization of linens                                         21,017   16,951
     Pension                                                        12,835   12,015
     Other                                                          26,640   30,596

     Total deferred tax liabilities                                 87,329   88,401

Deferred tax assets:
     Self-insurance                                                (24,753) (27,054)
     Deferred compensation                                         (10,393)  (8,698)
     Bonuses                                                        (2,609)  (3,035)        
     Foreign tax losses                                             (1,014)    (605)
     Restructuring and asset impairment                            (14,594) (15,049)        
     Asset disposition reserves                                     (4,365)  (5,723)
     Other assets                                                   (6,739)  (7,221)

     Total deferred tax assets                                     (64,467) (67,385)

Net deferred tax liability                                         $22,862  $21,016
</TABLE>


      At  August  31,  1998,   the  company  had  foreign  net  operating   loss
carryforwards of $2,784 expiring in fiscal years 1999 through 2004.


Note 8:  Quarterly  Financial  Data  (Unaudited)
<TABLE>

                   Sales and             Income               Basic    Diluted
                     Service   Gross     before      Net     Earnings  Earnings
                    Revenues   Profit     Taxes     Income  per Share per Share

1998
<S>                <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
1st Quarter         $487,584  $193,345   $42,355    $26,668    $.61      $.60
2nd Quarter          479,411   186,049    37,312     23,488     .55       .54
3rd Quarter          521,608   207,319    44,789     28,139     .67       .66
4th Quarter          542,707   216,912    48,665     30,425     .73       .72

1997
1st Quarter         $511,893  $199,711   $39,340    $24,834    $.54      $.54
2nd Quarter          499,236   188,726    32,187     20,345     .45       .45
3rd Quarter          515,279   210,864    46,808     29,434     .65       .65
4th Quarter (1)      509,771   208,060    60,743     32,665     .73       .72
</TABLE>

(1)  Results  for the fourth  quarter  included  the gain on the sale of textile
     rental plants of $75,097 and charges for  restructuring  and other reserves
     of $19,600 and asset impairments of $43,500.


Note 9:  Business Segment Information

<TABLE>
                                                                   Depreciation       Capital
                               Sales and Operating                   and          Expenditures
                                Service   Profit     Identifiable  Amortization      Including
                               Revenues   (Loss)        Assets      Expense        Acquisitions
                                            
                                                                             

1998
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>               <C>
Lighting Equipment             $1,105,255 $ 109,286  $  397,962    $  19,114         $ 37,541
Chemical                          454,532    36,460     235,269        9,194           20,217
Textile Rental (1)                312,746    29,734     193,347       13,912           21,595
Envelope                          158,777    13,293     103,087        4,383           47,111

                                2,031,310   188,773     929,665       46,603          126,464
Corporate                                   (14,903)     81,019        2,243              875
Interest Expense, net                          (749)                         

                               $2,031,310 $ 173,121  $1,010,684    $  48,846         $127,339

1997
Lighting Equipment             $  952,026 $  92,372  $  353,224    $  16,722         $ 21,688
Chemical (2)                      402,569    31,647     202,769        8,679           12,875
Textile Rental (1)                493,535    60,792     190,139       27,014           13,050
Envelope (3)                      131,015    10,190      55,271        3,297            7,159
Other                              57,034     1,906         -            611              509
                                2,036,179   196,907     801,403       56,323           55,281
Corporate (4)                               (16,205)    304,949        1,658            1,709
Interest Expense, net                        (1,624)
                               $2,036,179 $ 179,078  $1,106,352    $  57,981         $ 56,990
                               


1996
Lighting Equipment             $  867,771 $  76,085  $  332,006    $  15,224         $ 20,800
Chemical                          367,682    38,611     170,327        8,127            5,744
Textile Rental (1)                530,625    42,198     420,169       29,753           28,418
Envelope                          125,834    10,041      51,258        2,741            5,759
Other                             121,650     5,242      29,436        1,410            1,221
                                2,013,562   172,177   1,003,196       57,255           61,942
Corporate                                    (8,764)     91,450        1,173            3,624
Interest Expense, net                        (1,565)
                               $2,013,562 $ 161,848  $1,094,646    $  58,428         $ 65,566

</TABLE>

(1)  Textile rental segment 1997 operating profit included one-time charges of
     $17,800 for  restructuring  and other and  $31,800  for asset  impairments.
     Gains resulting from the sale of businesses were $2,449 in 1998, $75,097 in
     1997, and $7,800 in 1996.
(2)  Chemical segment  operating profit included  one-time charges of $1,500 for
     restructuring and $8,100 for asset impairments.
(3)  Envelope  segment  operating  profit included  one-time charges of $230 for
     restructuring.
(4)  Corporate  operating  profit included  one-time charges of $3,700 for asset
     impairments.
<PAGE>
Page 66
                                                                      Exhibit 13

                              REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
                        National Service Industries, Inc.


The  management of National  Service  Industries,  Inc. is  responsible  for the
integrity and  objectivity  of the financial  information in this annual report.
These financial  statements are prepared in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles, using informed judgments and estimates where appropriate.
The  information  in  other  sections  of this  report  is  consistent  with the
financial  statements.  The company  maintains a system of internal controls and
accounting policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that
assets are safeguarded and  transactions are executed and recorded in accordance
with management's authorization.  The audit committee of the Board of Directors,
composed  entirely of outside  directors,  is  responsible  for  monitoring  the
company's  accounting  and  reporting  practices.   The  audit  committee  meets
regularly with management,  the internal  auditors,  and the independent  public
accountants  to review  the work of each and to assure  that each  performs  its
responsibilities.  Both the  internal  auditors  and  Arthur  Andersen  LLP have
unrestricted  access to the audit committee  allowing open  discussion,  without
management's presence, on the quality of financial reporting and the adequacy of
internal accounting controls.





/s/ James S. Balloun          /s/ Brock A. Hattox           /s/ Mark R. Bachmann
James S. Balloun              Brock A. Hattox               Mark R. Bachmann
Chairman, President, and      Executive Vice President and  Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer       Chief Financial Officer       Controller





                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders of National Service Industries, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National Service
Industries, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of August 31, 1998
and  1997 and the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income,  stockholders'
equity,  and cash flows for each of the three years in the period  ended  August
31, 1998.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.
      We conducted our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
      In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of National Service Industries,
Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of August 31, 1998 and 1997 and the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
August 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


                                                             Arthur Andersen LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
October 9, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 67
                                                                      Exhibit 13


                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                       National Service Industries, Inc.

National Service Industries is a diversified  service and manufacturing  company
operating in four segments: lighting equipment,  chemicals,  textile rental, and
envelopes.  The company continued to be in strong financial  condition at August
31, 1998. Net working  capital was $385.1  million,  down from $498.8 million at
August 31, 1997,  and the current ratio was 2.7,  compared with 2.8 at the prior
year-end.  The decrease in net working  capital was the result of the  company's
utilization  of  approximately  $325  million of cash,  generated  from the 1997
divestiture  of several  non-strategic  assets,  to fund  acquisitions,  capital
expenditures,  share repurchases,  and payment of dividends. At August 31, 1998,
the company's debt to capitalization increased according to plan to 12.9 percent
compared with 4.6 percent at the prior year-end.

Strategic Transactions
The company periodically  implements  strategic  transactions that, it believes,
afford it the opportunity to redeploy resources to create value and position the
company  for future  growth.  During the  three-year  period  ending  1998,  the
following transactions occurred:

Acquisitions
Acquisition  spending in 1998 totaled $45.3 million and was primarily related to
the chemical and  envelope  segments.  In November  1997,  the chemical  segment
purchased  Pure  Corporation,   a  specialty  chemical  company  with  its  core
businesses in Indiana,  Pennsylvania,  and New York. In March 1998, the envelope
segment purchased Allen Envelope Corporation, a single-plant, Pennsylvania-based
envelope  manufacturer,  providing  the  segment  with  access to markets in the
Northeast.  In  July  1998,  the  company  purchased  Calman  Australia  Pty Ltd
("Calman").  Calman,  located  in  Victoria,  Australia,  is a  manufacturer  of
cleaning, maintenance,  sanitation and industrial products, chemicals, supplies,
and accessories.  Additionally,  the company paid certain  performance  payments
associated with a prior year chemical acquisition.
      In 1997,  acquisition  spending totaled $4.3 million and resulted from the
chemical  segment's  purchase of chemical products  companies in Ohio and Canada
and the lighting equipment  segment's  acquisition of a small emergency lighting
products  manufacturer in Canada. In March 1997, the company also issued 536,872
shares valued at $20.5 million to acquire Enforcer Products,  Inc. ("Enforcer"),
a specialty  chemical  company with a retail  focus.  In 1996,  the company made
minor acquisitions related to the textile rental segment.

Divestitures
In 1998,  divestitures  of  non-strategic  textile rental  operations and excess
properties  resulted in net  proceeds of $3.1  million and pretax  gains of $2.4
million. 
     In February 1997, the company sold the North Bros.  insulation business for
cash of $27.1  million,  recognizing  an immaterial  gain. The business had 1997
sales of $57.0 million and operating  income of $1.9 million through the date of
sale. 
     In July 1997,  the company sold 29 textile  rental  plants to G&K Services,
Inc. for approximately $280 million, recognizing a pretax gain of $74.0 million.
The divested  locations had 1997 sales of $176.5 million and operating income of
$9.4  million  through  the date of sale.  
     Additionally,  in 1997 and 1996, the company  divested other  non-strategic
businesses,  primarily in the textile rental  segment,  generating  cash of $4.3
million and $15.3 million, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities
Operations  provided cash of $29.3 million in 1998,  compared with cash provided
of $127.6 million in 1997 and $153.0 in 1996. The decrease in 1998 was primarily
the result of  increased  tax payments  associated  with the  divestiture  of 29
textile plants in July 1997 and an increase in accounts receivable  commensurate
with the increased revenue in the lighting equipment and chemical segments.  The
1997  decrease  compared  with  1996  resulted   primarily  from  investment  in
inventories to support  increased  sales of the lighting  equipment  segment and
changes in deferred taxes associated with the textile rental plant divestiture.

Investing Activities
Investing  activities  provided  cash of $82.5 million and $61.8 million in 1998
and 1997, respectively,  and used cash of $41.8 million in 1996. The increase in
1998  is  the  result  of  the  liquidation  of  $205.3  million  of  short-term
investments,  generated  by 1997  divestitures,  to fund  acquisitions,  capital
expenditures,  share repurchases, and payment of dividends. Capital expenditures
were  $82.0  million  in 1998,  compared  with  $48.8  million in 1997 and $65.5
million in 1996.  During  1998,  the  lighting  equipment  segment  invested  in
facility expansions and manufacturing process  improvements,  the textile rental
segment invested in a merchandise tracking system and fleet  refurbishment,  and
the envelope  segment invested in facility and machinery  replacements.  Capital
spending in 1997 and 1996  consisted  primarily  of lighting  equipment  segment
facilities and process improvements, equipment replacements, and tooling for new
products  and textile  rental  segment  facilities  improvements  and  equipment
replacements. Additionally, in 1996, the lighting equipment segment expanded its
production  facility in Monterrey,  Mexico.  As noted under  "Acquisitions"  and
"Divestitures,"  the company has engaged in a number of strategic  transactions.
The company spent $45.3 million,  $4.3 million,  and $0.6 million in 1998, 1997,
and 1996, respectively, on acquisitions. Additionally, the company received $3.1
million,  $311.4 million,  and $15.3 million in connection with  dispositions of
non-strategic  assets in 1998, 1997, and 1996,  respectively.  In 1999,  capital
expenditures are expected to approximate $85 million as the company continues to
invest capital in technology and facilities. Contractual commitments for capital
and acquisition spending for fiscal year 1999 approximate $27 million.
<PAGE>
Page 68
                                                                      Exhibit 13

                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                 CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
                       National Service Industries, Inc.

Financing Activities
Financing activities used $145.2 million,  $187.6 million, and $131.2 million in
1998, 1997, and 1996,  respectively.  In the three years ending August 31, 1998,
the company distributed approximately $510 million to stockholders through share
repurchases  and dividends.  Cash of $154.0 million,  $121.7 million,  and $75.2
million  was  utilized  in  1998,  1997,  and  1996,  respectively,   for  share
repurchases of 3.0 million, 3.0 million,  and 2.0 million shares,  respectively.
The company has a standing annual authorization to repurchase 2.0 million shares
plus the number of new shares  issued in any one year.  Included in the 1998 and
1997 amounts was a supplemental authorization for the repurchase of 1.25 million
shares  granted  as a result  of the  textile  rental  divestiture  transaction.
Additionally,  the company distributed cash of $52.6 million, $54.2 million, and
$55.3  million  in  1998,  1997,  and  1996,  respectively,   to  the  company's
stockholders  in the form of  dividends.  The increase in dividends to $1.23 per
share in 1998 from  $1.19  per  share in 1997  represented  an  increase  of 3.4
percent,  marking  the  sixty-second  consecutive  year of  quarterly  dividends
without a decrease.
      During  the fourth  quarter  of 1998,  the  company  filed a  registration
statement (the "shelf registration"),  which became effective September 8, 1998,
with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission to allow the company to offer for
sale, from time to time, up to $400 million of unsecured  senior debt securities
or  unsecured  senior  subordinated  debt  securities  (the  "Debt  Securities")
consisting of notes,  debentures,  or other evidence of  indebtedness.  The Debt
Securities may be convertible  into or exchangeable  for shares of the company's
common stock, shares of its preferred stock, or other Debt Securities.  The Debt
Securities  may be offered as a single series or as two or more separate  series
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
The Debt Securities may be sold to or through one or more agents designated from
time to time.
      In 1996, the company  negotiated a $250 million  multi-currency  committed
credit  facility  (the "Credit  Facility")  with ten domestic and  international
banks. The Credit Facility has a term of five years, expiring in July 2001, with
no  provision  for  reduction  in  commitments.  The  Credit  Facility  contains
restrictions  on the  incurrence of  indebtedness  by  subsidiaries,  as well as
financial and other covenants,  including  restrictions that the company's ratio
of total debt to capitalization may not exceed 60 percent at any time.
      The company has complimentary  lines of credit totaling $122.0 million for
general  operating   purposes,   of  which  $22.0  million  is  available  on  a
multi-currency  basis.  On August 31, 1998,  the company  borrowed $52.0 million
under the $100.0  million  domestic line of credit.  Subsequent to the company's
fiscal year end, these  borrowings were repaid through  borrowings on the Credit
Facility.  This  borrowing has been  classified as noncurrent  because it is the
company's  intention to  refinance  this  obligation  on a long-term  basis.  In
addition, $28.4 million in letters of credit were outstanding at August 31, 1998
under the domestic line of credit.  At August 31, 1998,  the company had foreign
currency  short-term  bank  borrowings  under the $22.0  million  line of credit
equivalent to $7.9 million at a weighted average interest rate of 4.91 percent.
      Management  believes  current cash balances,  anticipated  cash flows from
operations, and available funds from the Credit Facility, complimentary lines of
credit,  and the shelf registration are sufficient to meet the company's planned
level of capital spending and general  operating cash  requirements for the next
twelve months.

Results of Operations
<TABLE>
                                               Years Ended August 31
                               
(in millions, except per                    1998              1997              1996
share amounts)

Sales and Service Revenue:
<S>                                     <C>               <C>              <C>
     Lighting Equipment                 $1,105.3          $  952.0         $   867.8
     Chemical                              454.5             402.6             367.7
     Textile Rental                        312.7             493.5             530.6
     Envelope                              158.8             131.0             125.8
     Other                                    -               57.1             121.7
                                        $2,031.3          $2,036.2          $2,013.6

Operating Profit (Loss):
     Lighting Equipment                 $  109.3         $    92.4        $     76.1
     Chemical                               36.5              31.6              38.6
     Textile Rental                         29.7              60.8              42.2
     Envelope                               13.3              10.2              10.0
     Other                                    -                1.9               5.3
                                           188.8             196.9             172.2
     Corporate                             (14.9)            (16.2)             (8.8)
     Interest expense, net                  (0.8)             (1.6)             (1.6)
                                        $  173.1          $  179.1          $  161.8

Net Income                              $  108.7            $107.3            $101.1

Earnings per Share:
     Basic                              $   2.56          $   2.37          $   2.11
     Diluted                                2.53              2.36              2.10

</TABLE>

      National Service Industries posted revenues of $2.0 billion for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1998.  The slight  revenue  decline in 1998 in  comparison
with the prior year resulted from increased lighting  equipment,  chemical,  and
envelope revenues of approximately $233 million offset primarily by revenues not
included in 1998 as a result of 1997  divestitures.  Revenues in 1997  increased
$22.6  million,  or 1.1 percent,  as a result of higher  volumes in the lighting
equipment,  chemical,  and envelope  segments  partially offset by revenues from
businesses divested.
      Net income for 1998  increased $1.4 million,  or 1.3 percent,  to a record
level of $108.7,  or $2.56 per basic share,  $2.53  diluted.  Earnings per share
grew at the higher  rate of 8.0  percent  per basic  share and 7.2  percent  per
diluted  share due to a reduction of 2.7 million  basic and 2.5 million  diluted
average shares  outstanding.  Net income in 1997 increased $6.2 million,  or 6.1
percent, to $107.3 million, or $2.37 per basic share, $2.36 diluted.
      Lighting equipment segment sales grew $153.3 million,  or 16.1 percent, to
$1.1 billion in 1998. Strong demand in the  non-residential  construction market
and increased volumes  resulting from new products  contributed to the growth in
sales. As a result of the increased sales and ongoing productivity improvements,
operating  profit  increased 18.3 percent in 1998.  Sales for 1997 increased 9.7
percent due primarily to higher unit volumes in the non-residential construction
markets.  Operating  profit for 1997  increased  21.4 percent as a result of the
increased sales, improved product mix, and lower manufacturing costs.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 69
                                                                      Exhibit 13

                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                 CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
                       National Services Industries, Inc.

      Chemical  segment  revenues  for 1998  increased  $51.9  million,  or 12.9
percent, to $454.5 million.  Incremental revenues were a result of the inclusion
of a full year of Enforcer as well as increased  retail  volumes of Enforcer and
Zep  Manufacturing  Company.  Operating profit  increased $4.9 million,  or 15.5
percent,  to $36.5 million as a result of the increased  revenues and the impact
of the 1997  restructuring  charge on 1997 operating profit.  These increases to
operating  profit  were  somewhat  offset  by  additional  severance  costs  and
increased  selling expenses  incurred in the industrial  chemical channel of the
segment.  Revenues in 1997  increased  9.5 percent,  as a result of  incremental
volumes from U.S. and Canadian  acquisitions.  Operating profit in 1997 declined
18.1 percent,  as a study of the  segment's  European  operations  resulted in a
severance-related charge of $1.5 million for operational  reorganizations and an
asset  impairment  loss of $8.1 million  resulting  from  historical  losses and
inadequate future cash flows.  Additionally in 1997, higher  manufacturing costs
and  investments  to increase the size and  capability  of the  segment's  fully
commissioned sales force offset the profits resulting from revenue gains.
      Textile rental segment  revenues for 1998 decreased 36.6 percent to $312.7
million primarily as a result of the businesses divested in 1997 as described in
"Strategic  Transactions"  above.  Excluding  the  1997  divestiture,   revenues
declined  approximately  $4.0  million as the  segment  continued  to  eliminate
low-margin  customer accounts.  Operating profit decreased 51.2 percent to $29.7
million,  primarily  as a result  of the  1997  divestitures.  The 1997  sale of
non-strategic assets to G&K Services,  Inc., which had 1997 operating profits of
$9.4  million,  resulted in gains of $74.0  million.  These gains were  somewhat
offset in 1997 by restructuring  expenses,  asset impairment,  and other charges
totaling  $49.6 million.  Excluding the impact on 1997  operating  profit of the
gains,  restructuring,  and  loss of  revenue  from  divested  facilities,  1997
operating profit would have been  approximately  $27.0 million.  The increase in
operating  profit in 1998 after adjusting for the 1997 items is primarily due to
gains on the sale of certain uniform  contracts and improved  profitability as a
result of tighter  inventory  control.  Segment  revenues for 1997 decreased 7.0
percent  from 1996  primarily  as a result of the  businesses  divested in 1997.
Operating  profit  increased 44.1 percent as a result of the gains recognized on
the divestitures  discussed above, offset by the restructuring and other charges
recorded in 1997.
      A  review  of  the   textile   rental   segment's   under-performing   and
non-strategic  locations  during  1997  resulted in a plan to dispose of certain
plants and consolidate the operations of others. Restructuring expenses included
severance and union  related  expenses of $1.2 million and exit expenses of $6.7
million  for  unexpired  leases,  costs to dispose of  facilities,  and costs of
personnel to effect closures and consolidations.  Also as a result of the review
and due to a combination of historical  losses,  anticipated  future losses, and
inadequate cash flows,  the segment recorded an impairment loss of $22.3 million
on assets to be disposed of and $9.5  million on assets held for use.  After the
impairment  charge, the remaining net book value of the assets to be disposed of
was  immaterial.  The ongoing impact to operating  profit as a result of reduced
employee and  facility  expenses is estimated to be an increase of $4 million to
$5 million  annually.  The  restructuring  is not expected to materially  impact
future liquidity or other sources and uses of capital.
      Envelope segment revenue increased $27.8 million, or 21.2 percent, in 1998
to $158.8 million.  The March 1998 purchase of Allen  Envelope,  as discussed in
"Strategic Transactions," accounted for approximately $18 million of the revenue
increase.  The remaining  increase is attributable  to higher shipment  volumes.
Operating  profit for the  segment  increased  30.4  percent  to $13.3  million,
primarily as a result of the increased  revenues generated by the Allen Envelope
acquisition.  Segment revenue in 1997 increased 4.1 percent as volume gains were
offset somewhat by contractual price  adjustments.  Operating profit in 1997 was
flat in comparison to the prior year as increased revenues were offset by higher
manufacturing costs associated with the segment's growth initiatives.
     Revenue and operating profit of the "other" segment have been eliminated as
a result of the February 1997  divestiture  of the insulation  service  business
discussed in "Strategic Transactions."
     Corporate expenses decreased $1.3 million in 1998, as 1997 expense included
an asset impairment  recorded to reflect the $1.2 million  appraised value of an
asset held for sale.  Corporate  expenses in 1997 were $7.4 million  higher than
1996 as a result of the asset  impairment  and  higher  accrued  incentive  plan
costs.  Net  interest  expense  decreased  $0.8  million in 1998 as the  company
benefited from higher average levels of short-term investments,  offset slightly
by higher average debt levels.  
     Consolidated income before taxes decreased $6.0 million, or 3.4 percent, to
$173.1  million  primarily  due  to the  effect  of the  1997  divestitures  and
associated gains included in 1997 amounts,  partially offset by increased income
from the  lighting  segment in 1998.  The  provision  for income  taxes was 37.2
percent,  40.1 percent, and 37.5 percent in 1998, 1997, and 1996,  respectively.
The  increase in the  effective  rate in 1997 was due  primarily to higher rates
applicable to the textile rental divestiture.

Environmental Matters
The company's  operations,  as well as other similar operations,  are subject to
comprehensive  laws  and  regulations  relating  to  the  generation,   storage,
handling,  transportation,  and disposal of hazardous  substances  and solid and
hazardous  wastes and to the  remediation  of  contaminated  sites.  Permits and
environmental  controls are required for certain of the company's  operations to
prevent air and water pollution,  and these permits are subject to modification,
renewal, and revocation by issuing authorities.  The company believes that it is
in substantial compliance with all material environmental laws, regulations, and
its permits. On an ongoing basis, the company incurs capital and operating costs
relating to environmental  compliance.  Environmental  laws and regulations have
generally  become stricter in recent years, and the cost of responding to future
changes may be substantial.
      The  company's  environmental  reserves  totaled  $12.6  million and $17.1
million  at  August  31,  1998  and  1997,  respectively.  The  actual  cost  of
environmental issues may be substantially lower or higher than that reserved due
to the difficulty in estimating such costs,  potential  changes in the status of
government  regulations,  and the  inability  to  determine  the extent to which
contributions will be available from other parties. The company does not believe
that any such amount below or in excess of that accrued is reasonably estimable.
      Certain  environmental  laws, such as Superfund,  can impose liability for
the entire cost of site remediation upon each of the current or former owners or
operators  of a site or  parties  who sent  waste to a site where a release of a
hazardous  substance has occurred  regardless of fault or the  lawfulness of the
original disposal activity.  Generally,  where there are a number of financially
viable potentially responsible parties ("PRPs"),  liability has been apportioned
based on the type and amount of waste disposed of by each party at such disposal
site and the number of financially viable parties,  although no assurance can be
given as to any particular site.
      The  company is  currently a party to, or  otherwise  involved  in,  legal
proceedings in connection with several state and federal Superfund sites, two of
which are  located  on  property  owned by the  company.  Except  for the Crymes
Landfill matter in Georgia,  the company believes its liability is de minimis at
each of the sites which it does not own where it has been named as a PRP. At the
Crymes Landfill Site, since the matter is currently in the investigative  phase,
the company does not know whether its  liability is de minimis but believes that
its exposure at the site is not likely to result in a
<PAGE>
Page 70
                                                                      Exhibit 13
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                 CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.

material adverse effect on the company.  For the property which the company owns
on Seaboard Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta,  Georgia, the company has agreed to
conduct an investigation on its and adjoining properties pursuant to the Georgia
Hazardous Site Response Act. Until that investigation is completed,  the company
will not be able to determine if  remediation  will be required,  if the company
will be solely  responsible  for the cost of such  remediation,  or whether such
cost is likely to result in a material  adverse  effect on the company.  For the
property  which the company  owns on East Paris  Street in Tampa,  Florida,  the
company  has been  requested  by the State of  Florida  to clean up  chlorinated
solvent  contamination  in the  groundwater  on the property and on  surrounding
property known as Seminole  Heights  Solvent Site and to reimburse costs already
incurred  by the State of Florida in  connection  with such  contamination.  The
company  believes that it has a strong defense due to likely off-site sources of
the contamination and because  contamination from the property,  if any, was due
to prior owners and not the company's operations. The company plans to meet with
the State of Florida in the near future regarding this matter.  At this time, it
is too early to quantify the company's  potential  exposure or the likelihood of
an adverse result.
      The  company  is  currently   evaluating  emissions  of  volatile  organic
compounds  from its  manufacturing  operations  in the Atlanta area to determine
whether  it will need to  install  pollution  control  equipment  or modify  its
operations to comply with federal and state air pollution regulations. Until the
current  evaluations  are  completed,  the company is not able to  quantify  the
possible  cost  of  compliance.   However,   based  upon   currently   available
information,  the company does not expect any expenditures  which may have to be
made to achieve compliance to be material.
      In  connection  with the sale of the North  Bros.  business  and 29 of the
company's  textile  rental  plants in 1997,  the  company has  retained  certain
environmental liabilities. The company has received notice from the buyer of the
textile rental plants of the alleged presence of perchloroethylene contamination
on one of the properties involved in the sale. The company has since asserted an
indemnification  claim against the company from which it bought the property. At
this time, it is too early to quantify the company's  potential exposure in this
matter, the likelihood of an adverse result, or the possibility that the company
may be fully or partially indemnified.
      In November 1997, the  Environmental  Protection  Agency ("EPA")  proposed
stringent new wastewater  discharge limits,  which would become effective in the
future,  that could apply to certain facilities  operated by the company.  While
the  company  does  not  believe  that  these  regulations  should  apply to its
operations, if the regulations are adopted as proposed,  following adoption, the
company's  cost to comply with them could be as much as $6 million to $9 million
of equipment  expenditures  spread over a three-year  period,  which the company
does not  believe  would be material to its  financial  condition  or results of
operations.

Impact of the Year 2000 Issue
The "Year  2000  Issue"  resulted  from the use of two digits  rather  than four
digits to define the  applicable  year in certain  computer  programs.  With the
coming  millennium,  any of the company's  computer programs that have two-digit
date-sensitive  software  may  interpret  a date of "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year 2000.  This  could  result in a system  failure or  miscalculation
causing  disruption of the operation of computer hardware and software,  as well
as intelligent manufacturing equipment and processes, and telephony.
      Management  is addressing  the Year 2000 Issue in four phases:  awareness,
assessment, action plan, and plan implementation.  At August 31, 1998, all areas
of the company had  completed the first three phases and  implementation  of the
plan was approximately 60 percent complete.  Management estimates that the total
cost to be incurred in connection with the Year 2000 Issue will range from $3
million to $5 million, and substantially all major systems are expected to be in
compliance  prior to the end of  calendar  year 1999.  At August 31,  1998,  the
company had spent approximately $1.5 million on the Year 2000 Issue. The cost of
the  project  is  being  funded  through  operating  cash  flows.  Approximately
one-third  of the total cost  reflects  the  redeployment  of existing  internal
information  technology  resources  and should not be  incremental  costs to the
company.
      Management has evaluated the potential  exposure of the company to related
problems  of  its  customers   and  suppliers  and  has   implemented  a  vendor
certification  process. While management believes that its plan is sufficient to
address the Year 2000 Issue, a contingency  plan is currently being developed to
address the  potential  for  unforeseen  issues that may arise.  There can be no
assurance, however, that such exposures or the costs of remediating any problems
associated  therewith will not materially  affect the company's future business,
financial condition, or results of operations.

Outlook
Management  continues to execute its strategic plan to grow both  internally and
through  acquisitions.  Fiscal  1999  sales  from the  existing  businesses  are
anticipated  to grow at a rate in excess of 5.0  percent,  led  primarily by the
lighting  equipment segment through continued lighting equipment market strength
and in the  chemical  segment  by product  development  and growth in the retail
market.  Additionally,   subsequent  to  year-end,  the  company  completed  the
acquisition  of  the  assets  of  GTY   Industries,   Inc.,  a  manufacturer  of
architectural-grade  light  fixtures for  landscape,  in-grade,  and  underwater
applications.  Assuming  economic  conditions  similar  to  the  fall  of  1998,
management  expects  earnings  growth that is consistent with or slightly higher
than reported 1998 results.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
From time to time, the company may publish  forward-looking  statements relating
to such  matters  as  anticipated  financial  performance,  business  prospects,
capital expenditures,  technological  developments,  new products,  research and
development  activities,  and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation
Reform  Act of 1995  provides  a safe  harbor  for  forward-looking  statements.
Statements  herein  which  may  be  considered   forward-looking   include:  (a)
statements  made regarding the company's  current  expectations  or beliefs with
respect  to  the  outcome  and  impact  on  the  company's  business,  financial
condition,  or  results  of  operations  of the Year 2000  Issue,  environmental
issues,  and legal  proceedings;  (b) statements  made  concerning  management's
expectations  with  respect to the  company's  plan for  strategic  growth;  (c)
statements made regarding  management's  expectations with regard to future cash
flows;  and (d)  statements  made  regarding the effect of the 1997 reduction of
employees  and  facility  expenses  in the  textile  rental  segment  on  future
operating  profit.  In order to comply  with the terms of the safe  harbor,  the
company notes that a variety of factors could cause the company's actual results
and  experience  to differ  materially  from the  anticipated  results  or other
expectations expressed in the company's  forward-looking  statements.  The risks
and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance,  development, and
results of the company's business include without limitation the following:  (a)
the uncertainty of general  business and economic  conditions,  particularly the
potential for a slow down in  non-residential  construction  awards; and (b) the
ability to  achieve  strategic  initiatives,  including  but not  limited to the
ability  to  achieve  sales  growth  across  the  business  segments  through  a
combination  of increased  pricing,  enhanced  sales force,  new  products,  and
improved customer service, as well as share repurchases and acquisitions.
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 71
                                                                      Exhibit 13
<TABLE>

                           TEN-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                        National Service Industries, Inc.

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share
data)                      
                         1998      1997       1996       1995       1994       1993        1992      1991        1990       1989



<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      
Operating Results
Net sales of products $1,718,564 $1,542,644 $1,482,937 $1,424,180 $1,337,410 $1,257,906 $1,189,684 $1,164,181 $1,250,833 $1,183,666
Service revenues         312,746    493,535    530,625    546,447    544,454    546,916    444,127    437,534    396,981    355,845
     Total revenues    2,031,310  2,036,179  2,013,562  1,970,627  1,881,864  1,804,822  1,633,811  1,601,715  1,647,814  1,539,511
Cost of products sold  1,044,215    945,794    933,405    908,869    875,055    832,264    810,552    791,355    832,867    800,385
Cost of services         183,470    283,024    304,381    299,687    286,519    281,551    236,474    240,376    219,673    198,262
Selling and administrative
 expenses                634,061    633,740    616,513    601,143    576,463    556,162    462,240    456,622    438,949    397,160
Interest expense 
 (income), net               749      1,624      1,565      1,648      2,788      3,645       (837)    (4,332)   (3,712)     (3,805)
Gain on sale of
 business                 (2,449)   (75,097)    (7,579)    (5,726)    (2,249)    (1,379)        -          -          -      (3,080)
Restructuring expense,
 asset impairments, and
 other charges                -      63,091         -          -          -          -          -      63,467         -          -
Other (income) 
 expense, net             (1,857)     4,925      3,429     14,509     11,090     13,063      8,474      5,591      4,322      2,571
Income before taxes      173,121    179,078    161,848    150,497    132,198    119,516    116,908     48,636    155,715    148,018
Provision for 
 income taxes             64,401     71,800     60,700     56,400     49,500     44,400     42,800     16,400     56,000     53,300
Net Income            $  108,720 $  107,278 $  101,148 $   94,097 $   82,698 $   75,116 $   74,108 $   32,236 $   99,715 $   94,718




Per Share Data
Net income: (1)
      Basic           $     2.56 $     2.37 $     2.11 $     1.93 $     1.67 $     1.52 $     1.50 $      .65 $     2.02 $     1.92
      Diluted               2.53       2.36       2.10       1.93       1.67       1.51       1.50        .65       2.02       1.92
Cash dividends              1.23       1.19       1.15       1.11       1.07       1.03        .99        .95        .90        .82
Stockholders' equity       13.96      15.20      15.45      15.41      14.77      14.21      13.79      13.33      13.68      12.44




Financial Ratios
Current ratio                2.7        2.8        3.1        3.2        3.2        2.9        3.5        3.4        4.5        4.8
Net income as a 
  percent of sales           5.4%       5.3%       5.0%       4.8%       4.4%       4.2%       4.5%       2.0%       6.1%       6.2%
Return on average
 stockholders' equity       17.4%      15.5%      13.6%      13.0%      11.6%      10.9%      11.1%       4.8%      15.6%      16.3%
Dividends as a percent of
 current year earnings      48.4%      50.5%      54.6%      57.6%      64.1%      67.9%      66.3%     146.2%      44.6%      42.6%
Percent of debt to total
 capitalization             12.9%       4.6%       4.2%       4.3%       4.3%       4.7%       4.2%       5.0%       4.2%       3.5%

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Page 72
                                                                      Exhibit 13
<TABLE>
                                                                        
                     TEN-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
                        National Service Industries, Inc.

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share
data)
                           1998      1997       1996       1995       1994       1993        1992       1991      1990       1989

<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>

Financial Position
Increase (decrease) in:
  Cash and cash  
    equivalents       $  (37,977)$   (1,539)$  (20,740)$   20,783 $   42,766 $  (85,284)$   27,617 $  (50,437)$   23,433 $   14,612
  Short-term investments(205,302)   204,751     (3,047)     1,019     (2,197)    (3,736)    (5,551)    12,813    (27,247)   (19,633)
Net working capital      385,056    498,758    408,955    437,840    413,114    363,575    399,893    386,306    447,800    450,185

Short-term debt       $    7,981 $    5,889 $    6,742 $    6,486 $    5,765 $    6,196 $    1,434 $    3,254 $    2,253 $    1,372
Long-term debt            78,092     26,197     24,920     26,776     26,863     28,418     28,359     31,373     27,465     20,765
Total debt                86,073     32,086     31,662     33,262     32,628     34,614     29,793     34,627     29,718     22,137
Stockholders' equity     578,901    671,813    718,008    744,404    727,385    704,023    682,954    660,567    675,444    612,668
Capitalization        $  664,974 $  703,899 $  749,670 $  777,666 $  760,013 $  738,637 $  712,747 $  695,194 $  705,162 $  634,805

Other Data
Capital expenditures (including
  acquisitions)       $  127,339 $   56,990 $   65,566 $   59,910 $   42,508 $   82,171 $   49,789   $ 90,229     82,932 $   66,491
Depreciation and 
  amortization            48,846     57,981     47,643     57,130     60,548     62,097     53,816     50,249     42,821     36,260
Total assets           1,010,684  1,106,352  1,094,646  1,131,346  1,101,261  1,081,510  1,036,908  1,008,319    960,622    886,358
Deferred income tax 
  liability               40,404     34,093     63,347     65,756     73,319     78,286     87,150     96,627     99,277    101,320
Self-insurance reserves,
  less current portion    44,573     57,056     63,369     67,830     61,081     56,335     47,638     38,428     15,222     15,213
Other long-term 
  liabilities             46,719     35,193     27,576     24,010     22,940     27,110     28,677     22,015     16,067     17,964
Weighted average number
  of shares outstanding
  (in thousands): (1)
  Basic                   42,462     45,191     47,941     48,696     49,547     49,556     49,539     49,540     49,389     49,255
  Diluted                 43,022     45,534     48,189     48,797     49,614     49,623     49,566     49,561     49,389     49,255
Stockholders               6,774      7,165      6,281      6,655      7,034      7,262      7,554      7,996      8,248      8,459
Employees                 16,700     16,100     20,600     21,100     22,000     22,200     20,100     20,900     21,800     20,800

Use of Total Revenues
Salaries and wages    $  552,816 $  572,517 $  580,571 $  568,616    565,859 $  572,163 $  502,709 $  501,502 $  491,334 $  465,522
Materials and supplies   955,307    909,082    875,658    832,668    783,610    760,551    700,338    683,871    713,310    668,655
Other operating expenses 305,888    334,503    348,143    370,575    349,849    301,356    273,330    258,919    246,288    222,350
Taxes and licenses       111,028    124,805    115,621    110,397    102,097     97,015     83,326     59,889     97,167     91,346
Gain on sale 
   of businesses          (2,449)   (75,097)    (7,579)    (5,726)    (2,249)    (1,379)        -          -          -      (3,080)
Restructuring expense, 
   asset impairments,
   and other charges          -      63,091         -          -          -          -          -      63,467         -          -
Dividends paid            52,603     54,222     55,272     54,156     53,042     51,041     49,105     47,124     44,506     40,389
Retained earnings         56,117     53,056     45,876     39,941     29,656     24,075     25,003    (13,057)    55,209     54,329
                      $2,031,310 $2,036,179 $2,013,562 $1,970,627 $1,881,864 $1,804,822 $1,633,811 $1,601,715 $1,647,814 $1,539,511
</TABLE>

(1)  In 1998,  the  company  adopted  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 128,
     "Earnings per Share." Prior period amounts have been restated in accordance
     with this statement.



                                                                         Page 73
                                                                      Exhibit 21
 
                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

Registrant - National Service Industries, Inc.

Registrant owns,  directly or indirectly,  the following  subsidiaries and other
affiliates:
<TABLE>
                                                                                          State or Other
                                                                                          Jurisdiction
                                                                                          of Incorporation
Subsidiary  or Affiliate                             Principal Location                   or Organization
<S>                                                  <C>                                  <C>    

Chemical Specialties B.V.                            Bergen op Zoom, Holland              Netherlands
Enforcer Products, Inc.                              Atlanta, Georgia                     Georgia
Graham International B.V.                            Bergen op Zoom, Holland              Netherlands
Kem Europa B.V.                                      Bergen op Zoom, Holland              Netherlands
Keplime B.V.                                         Bergen op Zoom, Holland              Netherlands
Lithonia Lighting Mexico, S.A. de C.V.               Monterrey, Nuevo Leon                Mexico
Lithonia Lighting Servicios, S.A. de C.V.            Monterrey, Nuevo Leon                Mexico
National Service Industries, Inc.                    Atlanta, Georgia                     Georgia
NSI Enterprises, Inc.                                Atlanta, Georgia                     California
NSI Export Ltd.                                      Bridgetown, Barbados                 Barbados
NSI Holdings, Inc.                                   Montreal, Quebec, Canada             Canada
NSI Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd.                         Hamilton, Bermuda                    Bermuda
NSI International Pty Ltd.                           Melbourne, Australia                 Australia
NSI Leasing, Inc.                                    Atlanta, Georgia                     Delaware
NSI Realty, L.P.                                     Atlanta, Georgia                     Texas
NSI Services, L.P.                                   Atlanta, Georgia                     Georgia
Productos Lithonia Lighting de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.  Monterrey, Nuevo Leon                Mexico
Produits de Maintenance et de Proprete Industrielle  Nogent-le-Roi, France                France
Selig Company of Puerto Rico, Inc.                   Atlanta, Georgia                     Puerto Rico
ZEP Belgium S.A.                                     Brussels, Belgium                    Belgium
ZEP Europe B.V.                                      Bergen op Zoom, Holland              Netherlands
ZEP FRANCE                                           Nogent-le-Roi, France                France
Zep Industries S.A.                                  Nogent-le-Roi, France                France
Zep International Pty Ltd.                           Melbourne, Australia                 Australia
Zep Italia S.r.l.                                    Aprilia, Italy                       Italy
Zep Manufacturing Company                            Santa Clara, California              Delaware
Zep Industries, S.A.                                 Bern, Switzerland                    Switzerland
</TABLE>

The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries
and affiliates.

Page 74
                                                                      Exhibit 23





                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS





As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference of our reports  dated  October 9, 1998,  included or  incorporated  by
reference  in National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  Form 10-K for the year ended
August 31, 1998, into the company's previously filed Registration Statement File
Nos. 33-35609,  33-36980,  33-48835,  33-51339,  33-51341,  33-51343,  33-51345,
33-51351, 33-51355, 33-51357, 33-59627, and 33-60715.


                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
November 18, 1998

                                                                         Page 75
                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each of the  undersigned  hereby
constitutes  and  appoints  David  Levy  and  Brock  Hattox,  and  each  of them
individually,  his  true  and  lawful  attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of
substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in
his capacity as a director or officer of National Service  Industries,  Inc., to
file a registrant's  annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1998, and any and all amendments  thereto,  with any exhibits  thereto,  and
other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.




                             /s/ James S. Balloun
                             James S. Balloun, Chairman of the Board,
                             President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director



                              /s/ Brock Hattox
                              Brock Hattox, Executive Vice President and
                              Chief Financial Officer



                              /s/ David Levy
                              David Levy, Executive Vice President,
                              Administration and Counsel, and Director



                              /s/ Mark R. Bachmann
                              Mark R. Bachmann, Vice President and Controller
                              (Principal Accounting Officer)






Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 76
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ John L. Clendenin  
                                                         John L. Clendenin








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 77
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Thomas C. Gallagher
                                                         Thomas C. Gallagher








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 78
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                        /s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr
                                                        Robert M. Holder, Jr








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 79
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ James C. Kennedy  
                                                         James C. Kennedy








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 80
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Bernard Marcus  
                                                         Bernard Marcus








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 81
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Charles W. McCall  
                                                         Charles W. McCall








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 82
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ John G. Medlin, Jr
                                                         John G. Medlin, Jr








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 83
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Samuel A. Nunn  
                                                         Samuel A. Nunn








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 84
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Herman J. Russell  
                                                         Herman J. Russell








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 85
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  her true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for her in her name, place, and stead in her capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in the  premises,  as fully to all intents and purposes as
she might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Betty E. Siegel  
                                                         Betty E. Siegel








Dated:  November 18, 1998

<PAGE>
Page 86
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Barrie A. Wigmore  
                                                         Barrie A. Wigmore








Dated:  November 18, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
                                                                         Page 87
                                                                      Exhibit 27
 
                             Financial Data Schedule
                           Year Ended August 31, 1998
                  Pursuant to Section 601(c) of Regulation S-K


This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from National
Service Industries,  Inc.  consolidated  balance sheet as of August 31, 1998 and
the consolidated  statement of income for the year ended August 31, 1998, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such  financial  statements.  (Replace
this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                SEP-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                  AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                         $19,146
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  311,771
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,631
<INVENTORY>                                    197,950
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               607,051
<PP&E>                                         657,047
<DEPRECIATION>                                 385,176
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,010,684
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          221,995
<BONDS>                                         78,092
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        57,919
<OTHER-SE>                                     520,982
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,010,684
<SALES>                                      1,718,564
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,031,310
<CGS>                                        1,044,215
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,227,685
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               619,682
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,558
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,264
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                173,121
<INCOME-TAX>                                    64,401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            108,720
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   108,720
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.53
        


</TABLE>


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