<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Page 53
Exhibit 27
Financial Data Schedule
Quarter Ended May 31, 2000
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 May 31, 2000 and the
consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended May 31, 2000, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-1-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000
<CASH> 1,489
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 393,006
<ALLOWANCES> 7,867
<INVENTORY> 264,417
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 729,231
<PP&E> 862,585
<DEPRECIATION> 450,876
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,762,796
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 468,262
<BONDS> 433,778
0
0
<COMMON> 57,919
<OTHER-SE> 589,846
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,762,796
<SALES> 1,632,288
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,870,463
<CGS> 987,925
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,123,934
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 603,603
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 32,474
<INCOME-PRETAX> 106,932
<INCOME-TAX> 41,490
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 65,442
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 65,442
<EPS-BASIC> 1.61
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.61
</TABLE>