NORRELL CORP
10-Q, 1998-09-15
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<PAGE>   1



                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

[MARK ONE]

[ X ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES

                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                       OR

[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES

                                EXCHANGE OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended August 2, 1998
                               --------------

                           Commission File No. 1-14018


                               NORRELL CORPORATION
                               -------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           GEORGIA                                           58-0953079
- -------------------------------                          -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)


3535 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA                            30305
- ------------------------------------                     -------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (404)240-3000
                                                   -------------


                                 Not applicable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.


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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 27,499,508 shares on August 30,
1998.


<PAGE>   2



                      Norrell Corporation and Subsidiaries
                                        
                                   FORM 10-Q

                                     INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Page No.
                                                                       --------
<S>      <C>                                                           <C>
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

         Consolidated Balance Sheets -                                    2
         August 2, 1998 (Unaudited) and November 2, 1997

         Consolidated Statements of Income                                3
         (Unaudited) - Three and Nine months ended August 2, 1998
         and July 27, 1997


         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                            4
         (Unaudited) - Nine months ended August 2, 1998
         and July 27, 1997

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       5
         (Unaudited)


ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial                7
         Condition and Results of Operations


PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                12


SIGNATURE                                                                13
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3


PART I
ITEM 1.

                      NORRELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands, except share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS                                                                         August 2, 1998  November 2, 1997
- ------                                                                         --------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                            <C>             <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
     Cash and short-term investments                                               $   6,378       $   6,678
     Accounts receivable trade,
        less allowances of $7,388 in 1998
        and $6,497 in 1997                                                           201,764         215,463
     Prepaid expenses                                                                  4,755           2,915
     Other                                                                             7,536          12,823
                                                                                   ---------       ---------
        Total current assets                                                         220,433         237,879
                                                                                   ---------       ---------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, less
     accumulated depreciation                                                         23,014          19,759
NONCURRENT DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                      14,102          12,690

OTHER ASSETS
     Goodwill and other intangibles, net of amortization                             163,438         136,358
     MIS development costs, net of amortization                                       23,612          19,486
     Investments and other assets                                                     12,357          12,672
                                                                                   ---------       ---------
        Total other assets                                                           199,407         168,516
                                                                                   ---------       ---------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                       $ 456,956       $ 438,844
                                                                                   =========       =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
     Current maturities of long-term debt                                          $  10,398       $  12,881
     Accounts payable                                                                 12,845          12,390
     Accrued expenses                                                                 79,985          90,515
     Deferred revenue and gain                                                         5,330           8,779
                                                                                   ---------       ---------
        Total current liabilities                                                    108,558         124,565

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities                                               60,724          60,129
LONG-TERM DEFERRED GAIN                                                                8,867           9,983
LONG-TERM ACCRUED EXPENSES                                                            40,444          36,961
                                                                                   ---------       ---------

        Total liabilities                                                            218,593         231,638
                                                                                   ---------       ---------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Common stock, stated value $.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized,
        with shares issued and outstanding of 27,446,840 in
        1998 and 26,903,738 in 1997                                                      274             269
     Treasury stock, at cost; 39,245 shares in 1998
        and 34,457 shares in 1997                                                       (825)         (1,062)
     Additional paid-in capital                                                      138,956         133,220
     Notes receivable from officers and employees                                       (122)           (125)
     Retained earnings                                                               100,080          74,904
                                                                                   ---------       ---------
        Total shareholders' equity                                                   238,363         207,206
                                                                                   ---------       ---------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                         $ 456,956       $ 438,844
                                                                                   =========       =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       2
<PAGE>   4



                      NORRELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Three Months Ended                        Nine Months Ended
                                          ---------------------------------       -----------------------------------
                                          August 2, 1998      July 27, 1997       August 2, 1998        July 27, 1997
                                          --------------      -------------       --------------        -------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>
REVENUES                                    $ 351,167           $ 332,691           $ 1,037,738           $ 931,868

COST OF SERVICES                              272,761             258,374               806,497             726,751
                                            ---------           ---------           -----------           ---------
     Gross profit                              78,406              74,317               231,241             205,117

OPERATING EXPENSES                             56,120              53,810               171,159             150,452
YEAR 2000 REMEDIATION EXPENSES                  1,007                 -                   1,412                 -
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION                   3,230               2,558                 9,371               7,077
                                            ---------           ---------           -----------           ---------
     Income from operations                    18,049              17,949                49,299              47,588

INTEREST EXPENSE                               (1,139)             (2,281)               (3,559)             (5,767)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                           (173)               (874)                 (224)             (1,734)
                                            ---------           ---------           -----------           ---------


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                     16,737              14,794                45,516              40,087


INCOME TAXES                                    6,273               5,619                17,068              15,232
                                            ---------           ---------           -----------           ---------


NET INCOME                                  $  10,464           $   9,175           $    28,448           $  24,855
                                            =========           =========           ===========           =========


PER COMMON SHARE (BASIC):
BASIC EARNINGS  PER COMMON SHARE            $    0.38           $    0.38           $      1.04           $    1.04
                                            =========           =========           ===========           =========
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING BASIC
     EARNINGS PER SHARE                        27,400              24,079                27,243              23,919
                                            =========           =========           ===========           =========


PER COMMON SHARE (DILUTED):
DILUTED EARNINGS  PER COMMON SHARE          $    0.37           $    0.35           $      0.99           $    0.96
                                            =========           =========           ===========           =========
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING DILUTED
     EARNINGS PER SHARE                        28,628              26,308                28,630              25,999
                                            =========           =========           ===========           =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.




                                       3
<PAGE>   5



                      NORRELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Nine Months Ended
                                                                                  ---------------------------------
                                                                                  August 2, 1998      July 27, 1997
                                                                                  --------------      -------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
     Net income                                                                     $ 28,448           $  24,855
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities
           Depreciation and amortization - operating expenses                          9,371               7,077
           Depreciation and amortization - cost of services/other expenses               952                 465
           Gain on retirement of common stock                                         (1,413)             (1,413)
           Provision for doubtful accounts                                             1,731               1,447
           Deferred income taxes                                                      (1,467)             (5,496)
           Deferred gain on sale of building                                          (1,116)             (1,116)
           Long term accrued expenses                                                  2,754               1,037
           Other                                                                         979               4,219
           Change in current assets and current liabilities
             Accounts receivable, trade                                               20,218             (58,686)
             Deferred revenue                                                         (2,036)               (569)
             Accounts payable                                                           (509)             (7,420)
             Accrued expenses                                                         (4,112)             12,546
             Other                                                                     3,572              (2,648)
                                                                                    --------           ---------
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                   57,372             (25,702)
                                                                                    --------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired                                      (42,766)            (76,971)
     Additions to property and equipment, net                                         (6,930)             (6,379)
     Increase in MIS development costs, net                                           (5,799)            (13,318)
     Increase in investments and other non-current assets                               (710)             (2,709)
     Increase in goodwill and other intangibles, net                                    (142)               (650)
                                                                                    --------           ---------
                Net cash used in investing activities                                (56,347)           (100,027)
                                                                                    --------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt                                     24,370             276,489
     Repayments of long-term debt                                                    (27,008)           (158,750)
     Stock option exercises, including related tax benefits                            3,700               4,238
     Dividends paid on common stock                                                   (3,272)             (2,871)
     Proceeds from the issuance of common stock                                        1,383               2,594
     Other stock activity                                                               (498)               (401)
                                                                                    --------           ---------
                Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                   (1,325)            121,299
                                                                                    --------           ---------

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND SHORT-TERM
     INVESTMENTS                                                                        (300)             (4,430)

CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AT
     BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                               6,678               8,876
                                                                                    --------           ---------

CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AT END
     OF PERIOD                                                                      $  6,378           $   4,446
                                                                                    ========           =========


SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
     Cash payments during the period for
        Interest                                                                    $  3,524           $   4,760
        Income taxes, net of refunds                                                   5,862              15,108
     Noncash investing and financing activity
        Issuance of options to benefit plan                                            1,108                 953
        Exercise of benefit plan stock options                                         1,347               1,227
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.










                                       4
<PAGE>   6




                      NORRELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

1.       Basis of Presentation

         Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
         financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
         accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the
         rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
         although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make
         the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial
         statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
         financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
         10-K. The information furnished reflects all adjustments which, in the
         opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the
         results of operations for the periods presented. Such adjustments are
         of a normal recurring nature.

2.       Financial Instruments

         The Company maintains four interest rate swap agreements in order to
         manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The difference
         between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to
         agreed-upon principal notional amounts is recognized as an adjustment
         to interest expense over the life of the swap agreements. Two of the
         swap agreements are each for notional principal amounts of $20,000,000,
         the remaining two agreements are for notional principal amounts of
         $12,000,000 and $8,000,000. The Company exchanges floating interest
         rates based on LIBOR for an average fixed rate of 6.43% at quarterly
         settlement dates. The swap agreements terminate between November 2001
         and January 2002. At August 2, 1998, if the Company had terminated each
         of the swap agreements, the estimated termination payments by the
         Company would have totaled approximately $1,253,445. The Company does
         not expect to terminate these agreements and expects them to expire as
         originally contracted.

3.       Earnings Per Share

         In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS 128, "Earnings Per Share." In
         accordance with this standard, basic earnings per share is computed on
         the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
         the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed giving effect to
         dilutive stock options. The income amount used in the Company's
         earnings per share calculations is the same for both basic and diluted
         earnings per share. A reconciliation of the average outstanding shares
         used in the two calculations is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Per Share Data:                                     Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
         (In thousands)                                      ------------------             ------------------
                                                              8/2/98   7/27/97               8/2/98   7/27/97
                                                             ------------------             ------------------
         <S>                                                 <C>                            <C>
         Weighted Average Shares                               27,400    24,079               27,243    23,919
         Dilutive stock Options                                 1,228     2,229                1,387     2,080
                                                             ==================             ==================
         Weighted average shares                               28,628    26,308               28,630    25,999
                                                             ==================             ==================

         Anti-dilutive options not included                       859        10                  850        55
                                                             ==================             ==================
</TABLE>


                                        5



<PAGE>   7


4.       New Accounting Standards

         In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
         130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130"). This Statement is
         effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS 130
         establishes new rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive
         income and its components; however, the adoption of the statement will
         have no material impact on the Company's net income or shareholders'
         equity when adopted in fiscal year 1999.

         In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
         131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
         Information " ("SFAS 131"). This Statement is effective for fiscal
         years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS 131 establishes standards
         for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial
         statements and requires reporting of selected information about
         operating segments in interim financial reports issued to stockholders.
         It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products
         and services, geographical areas and major customers. The Company will
         be required to present the segment disclosures in its financial
         statements for the year ending October 31, 1999. Disclosure of interim
         information to shareholders is not required during the year of
         adoption.

         In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
         No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other
         Postretirement Benefits." This Statement is effective for fiscal years
         beginning after December 15, 1997. As a result of this new
         pronouncement, the Company will include an additional footnote
         disclosure for its non-qualified salary continuation plan in the
         financial statements beginning in fiscal year 1999.

         In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
         133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."
         This Statement requires companies to record derivatives on the balance
         sheet as assets and liabilities, measured at fair value. Gains or
         losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives would
         be accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it
         qualifies for hedge accounting. This Statement is effective for fiscal
         years beginning after June 15, 1999. The Company plans to adopt this
         Statement beginning in fiscal year 2000 and does not expect it to have
         a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

         Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
         Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," was issued
         by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in March
         1998. This SOP provides guidance on accounting for the costs of
         computer software developed or obtained for internal use. The Company
         plans to adopt this Statement beginning in the fiscal year 2000 and
         does not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated
         financial statements.









                                        6



<PAGE>   8
PART I
ITEM 2.


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

OPERATING RESULTS THIRD QUARTER AUGUST 2, 1998 COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER JULY
27, 1997

         Revenues increased 5.6% or $18.5 million to $351.2 million in 1998.
Revenue by business group is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Group                          1998 % of  Consolidated Revenue         1997 % of Consolidated Revenue
- --------------                          -------------------------------         ------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>    
Staffing Services                                       64.4%                                   67.8%
Outsourcing Services                                    19.2%                                   19.5%
Professional Services                                   16.4%                                   12.7%
                                                       -----                                   -----
  Total                                                100.0%                                  100.0%
</TABLE>


         Staffing Services revenues grew 0.3% to $226.3 million. Staffing
Services volume, as measured by hours that staffing employees worked, decreased
3.8% and rates rose 4.1% compared to a volume increase of 17.0% and a rate
increase of 3.4% for 1997. The growth in Staffing Services was impacted by
slower-than-expected ramp up of new business and difficulty in recruiting large
volumes of employees in tight labor markets. Rate increases over prior year
reflect changes in business mix to higher priced services. Staffing Services
includes the results of M. David Lowe, Inc., ("M. David Lowe") a Houston based
company acquired in December 1997. Outsourcing Services revenues grew 4.1% to
$67.4 million. Outsourcing Services revenues from customers other than IBM
decreased 2.0% or $518,000 from 1997, while revenues from IBM increased $3.2
million or 8.1%. Professional Services revenues were $57.6 million in 1998
compared to $42.4 million in 1997, a 35.8% increase. The Company's Professional
Services group includes Norrell Information Services, Norrell Financial Staffing
and IMCOR, Inc. ("IMCOR"), an interim executive staffing company acquired in
October 1997. Norrell Information Services was augmented by the April 1998
acquisition of Trattner Network Ltd., ("Trattner") a California based
information technology company and the July 1998 acquisition of W.E. Carson
Associates, Inc., ("Carson") an information systems consulting firm based in
Atlanta, Georgia.

         Gross profit increased 5.5%, or $4.1 million, to $78.4 million in 1998.
Gross margin (gross profit as a percent of revenues) remained constant year over
year at 22.3%. Staffing Services gross margin decreased from 21.7% in 1997 to
21.1% in 1998 mainly due to a change in the business mix. Outsourcing Services
gross margin decreased from 18.1% in 1997 to 17.7% in 1998. Professional
Services gross margin remained constant year over year at 32.4%.

         Operating expenses increased 4.3%, or $2.3 million. The increase is
primarily due to incremental operating expenses resulting from the acquisitions
of IMCOR, M. David Lowe, Inc., Trattner and Carson. Operating costs, as a
percentage of revenue decreased from 16.2% in the 1997 period to 16.0% in the
1998 period. The Company incurred costs of $1.0 million in the 1998 period
related to the Year 2000 assessment project (see Year 2000 Issues). Depreciation
and amortization expense increased 26.3%, or $672,000 due to increased
investment in desktop computers to support management information systems and
amortization of goodwill from acquisitions.

         Interest expense decreased from $2.3 million in 1997, to $1.1 million
in 1998. This decrease resulted from the net effect of the proceeds from the
Company's July 28, 1997 stock offering and positive operating cash flow in the
1998 period reduced by borrowings to fund the acquisitions discussed above. See
liquidity and capital resources.

         Other expense decreased from $874,000 in 1997 to $173,000 in 1998. The
1997 period expense included the Company's share of losses from its 50%
ownership in a joint venture formed in October 1995 to provide 

                                       7
<PAGE>   9
PART I
ITEM 2.


administrative outsourcing for health care facilities. This joint venture was
terminated in the fiscal fourth quarter of 1997.

         The effective income tax rate declined from 38.0% in 1997 to 37.5% in
1998 primarily as a result of reduced state income taxes.

         Net income rose from $9.2 million in 1997 to $10.5 million in 1998, a
14.0% increase. Diluted earnings per share increased from $0.35 in 1997 to $0.37
in 1998.

         Year 2000 remediation expense totaled $1.0 million in the 1998 period.
If these costs had been excluded from the 1998 period, net income would have
been $11.1 million, a $1.9 million or 20.9% increase over the prior year
quarter. Diluted earnings per share would have increased by $0.04 to $0.39,
resulting in an 11.4% increase over prior year diluted earnings per share.

OPERATING RESULTS NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 2, 1998 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED
JULY 27, 1997

         Revenues increased 11.4%, or $105.9 million, to $1,037.7 million in
1998. Revenue by business group is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Group                          1998 % of  Consolidated Revenue         1997 % of Consolidated Revenue
- --------------                          -------------------------------         ------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Staffing Services                                       65.7%                                   68.1%
Outsourcing Services                                    19.2%                                   19.5%
Professional Services                                   15.1%                                   12.4%
                                                       -----                                   -----
  Total                                                100.0%                                  100.0%
</TABLE>


          Staffing Services revenues grew 7.4% to $681.4 million. Staffing
Services volume, as measured by hours that staffing employees worked, increased
3.2% and rates rose 3.9% compared to 13.8% and 3.9%, respectively, for the 1997
period. The growth in Staffing Services was impacted by slower-than-expected
ramp up of new business and difficulty in recruiting large volumes of employees
in tight labor markets. Rate increases over prior year reflect changes in
business mix to higher priced services. Outsourcing Services revenues grew 9.7%
to $199.8 million. Outsourcing Services revenues from customers other than IBM
increased $7.9 million or 12.1% from 1997 to $73.5 million while IBM revenue
increased $9.7 million or 8.4%. Professional Services revenues were $156.6
million in the 1998 period compared to $115.1 million in the 1997 period, a
36.1% increase.

         Gross profit increased 12.7%, or $26.1 million, to $231.2 million in
1998. Gross margin increased from 22.0% in the 1997 period to 22.3% in the 1998
period. Staffing Services gross margin decreased from 21.4% in 1997 to 21.3% in
1998 mainly due to a change in the business mix. Outsourcing Services gross
margin declined from 18.2% in 1997 to 17.8% in the 1998 period due primarily to
an increased number of variable versus fixed priced IBM contracts. Professional
Services gross margin increased from 31.3% in the 1997 period to 32.2% in the
1998 period. Margins increased as a result of adding higher margin information
technology consulting services in the 1998 period through the acquisitions of
Comtex Information Systems, Inc. ("Comtex") in January 1997, Trattner, Carson,
and IMCOR. The 1997 period includes the results of Norrell Information Systems
and Financial Staffing.

         Operating expenses increased 13.8%, or $20.7 million, primarily as a
result of the incremental operating costs associated with the acquisitions of
Comtex, IMCOR, M. David Lowe, Inc., Trattner, and Carson. The 

                                       8
<PAGE>   10
PART I
ITEM 2.

Company also added costs in the 1998 period to support organic growth and to
provide increased client support. The Company incurred $1.2 million of
incremental costs for business process reengineering work. During the 1998
period, the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force
issued an accounting ruling requiring companies to expense as incurred costs
associated with business process reengineering. Operating expenses, as a
percentage of revenues, increased from 16.1% in the 1997 period to 16.5% in the
1998 period. The Company incurred costs of $1.4 million in the 1998 period
related to the Year 2000 assessment project (see Year 2000 Issues). Depreciation
and amortization expense increased $2.3 million, or 32.4%, from the 1997 period
due to increased investment in desktop computers to support management
information systems, MIS development and goodwill from acquisitions.

         Interest expense decreased from $5.8 million in the 1997 period to $3.6
million in the 1998 period. This decrease resulted from the net effect of the
proceeds from the Company's July 28, 1997 stock offering and positive operating
cash flow in the 1998 period reduced by borrowings to fund the acquisitions
discussed above. See liquidity and capital resources.


         Other expense decreased from $1.7 million in the 1997 period to
$224,000 in the 1998 period. The 1997 period expense included the Company's
share of losses from its 50% ownership in a joint venture formed in October 1995
to provide administrative outsourcing for health care facilities. This joint
venture was terminated in the fiscal fourth quarter of 1997.

Net income rose from $24.9 million in 1997 to $28.4 million in 1998, a 14.5%
increase. Diluted earnings per share increased from $0.96 in 1997 to $0.99 in
1998.

         Year 2000 remediation expense totaled $1.4 million in the 1998 period.
If these costs had been excluded from the 1998 period, net income would have
been $29.3 million, a $4.5 million or 18.0% increase over the prior year
quarter. Diluted earnings per share would have increased by $0.06 versus the
$0.03 reported diluted earnings per share increase which included Year 2000
remediation expenses. The diluted earnings per share would have been $1.02,
resulting in a 6.3% increase over prior year diluted earnings per share.



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Cash provided by operations in 1998 was $57.4 million compared to cash
used of $25.7 million in 1997. The 1998 period included a decrease of $20.2
million in trade accounts receivable compared to an increase of $58.7 million in
1997. The 1998 decrease was due principally to a decline in days sales
outstanding. During the 1998 period, cash provided by operating activities was
partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses (a
decrease in cash) of $4.6 million compared to an increase of $5.1 million in
1997. The 1997 amount included an accrual of $9.2 million for the contingent
payment associated with the acquisition of Anatec.

         Investing activities used cash of $56.3 million in 1998 compared to
cash used of $100.0 million in 1997. The purchases of Carson in July 1998,
Trattner in April 1998 and M. David Lowe in December 1997 and the contractual
payments related to the Comtex and Orlando acquisitions resulted in cash uses of
$42.8 million. The fiscal year 1997 purchases of Comtex Information Systems,
Inc., Accounting Resources Inc., and IMCOR, resulted in cash uses of $77.0
million. In addition to the initial cash purchase price paid at closing for
Imcor and Trattner, the sellers have the right to receive contingent payments
based on its achieving a specified level of operating profit, with final payment

                                       9
<PAGE>   11

PART I
ITEM 2.

dates between 2000 and 2001. The Company does not expect these contingent
payments to have a material impact on its operations. Investing activities for
1998 and 1997 included MIS development costs of $5.8 million and $13.3 million,
respectively.

         Financing activities used cash of $1.3 million in 1998 compared to cash
provided of $121.3 million in 1997. Long-term debt used cash in 1998 of $2.6
million compared to net cash provided from the issuance of long-term debt of
$117.7 million in 1997. The 1997 issuance of long-term debt was used to fund the
acquisitions discussed above, spending on MIS development, property and
equipment, and the cost associated with carrying a higher 1997 trade accounts
receivable balance. In July 1997 the Company reduced its outstanding long-term
debt by its secondary stock offering.

         At August 2, 1998, the Company had $71.1 million of total debt
outstanding.

         With the assistance of outside consultants, the Company has completed
an information systems plan to address the Company's long-term business needs.
The plan includes three major initiatives: 1) Development of a new weekly
payroll system which will enhance capacity, flexibility and speed to support
anticipated volumes, 2) Replacement of the highly customized billing system with
a version more closely resembling the vendor delivered software in order to
reduce cost and improve efficiency of applying vendor upgrades through business
process improvements, and 3) Continue the roll out of the revised branch office
order entry system. Anticipated capital spending for the payroll and branch
office systems projects during fiscal 1998 and 1999 is in the range of $18
million to $23 million. The new weekly payroll system is expected to be complete
in the first fiscal quarter of 1999. The branch office order entry system will
be implemented in a phased roll out approach and is expected to be complete in
the third fiscal quarter of 1999. The remaining costs related to the billing
system replacement will be absorbed in operating expenses and are not expected
to significantly impact the Company's normal operating costs as a percentage of
revenue.


OTHER EVENTS

         On August 12, 1998, the Company acquired FSS International Limited, a
United Kingdom financial and information technology ("IT") recruitment and
international search and selection business. This acquisition represents a
milestone in the Company's growth as it represents the first step in our global
expansion efforts.

         During September 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the Company
to purchase up to 3,750,000 shares of the Company's common stock or
approximately 15% of its shares outstanding. The periodic purchase will take
place on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.



NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

         In 1998, The Company adopted SFAS 128, "Earnings Per Share." In
accordance with this standard, basic earnings per share is computed on the basis
of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted
earnings per share is computed giving effect to dilutive stock options. See Note
3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements where discussed.



                                       10
<PAGE>   12
PART I
ITEM 2.

YEAR 2000 ISSUES

         The Company is currently in the process of addressing a problem that is
facing all users of automated information systems. The Year 2000 Issue is the
result of computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to
define the applicable year. Any of the Company's programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year 2000. This could result in a major system failure or
miscalculations.

         Based on a recent assessment, the Company determined that it will be
required to modify or replace portions of its software so that its computer
systems will function properly with respect to dates in the year 2000 and
thereafter. This modification and replacement process will be implemented by the
Company's Information Systems team with assistance from outside consultants. The
Company presently believes that, with planned modifications to existing software
and conversions to new software, the Year 2000 Issue will not pose significant
operational problems for its computer systems.

         The Company is developing an implementation plan to resolve the Year
2000 Issue. This plan includes assessment, modification and testing of
identified core and other systems. Preliminary estimates for these one time Year
2000 project costs are in the range of $12 million to $18 million. This estimate
excludes Year 2000 system modification which may be required for the Company's
subsidiaries not using the Company's core systems and the replacement of
embedded systems found to be non-compliant. The Company expects the majority of
these costs to be incurred in 1999. The Company's Year 2000 project costs are
not expected to have a material impact on its liquidity or capital resources.



SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING "FORWARD-LOOKING" INFORMATION

         The foregoing section contains "forward-looking" statements which
represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events,
including the sufficiency of funds from operations and available borrowings to
meet the Company's working capital and capital expenditure needs for 1998. A
number of important factors could, individually or in the aggregate, cause
actual results to differ materially from those forming the basis of the
forward-looking statements, including changes in the Company's relationship with
its largest customers and increased competition in, and changes in laws and
regulations relating to, the temporary services, professional services and
outsourcing industry.





                                      11
<PAGE>   13




PART II
ITEM 6


Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)

(b)      No Reports on Form 8-K were filed for the period covered under this
         quarterly filing.













                                       12







<PAGE>   14



SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements 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.



                                        NORRELL CORPORATION
                                        (REGISTRANT)




Date: September 15, 1998                By:  S/C. Scott L. Colabuono
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Scott L. Colabuono
                                             Senior Vice President and Chief 
                                             Financial Officer
                                             (On behalf of the Registrant and as
                                             Chief Accounting Officer)

                                       13

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           6,378
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  209,152
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,388
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               220,433
<PP&E>                                          37,819
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,805
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 456,956
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          108,558
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           274
<OTHER-SE>                                     238,089
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   456,956
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,037,738
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  806,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,412<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,739
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,516
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,068
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,448
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,448
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99
<FN>
AMOUNT INCLUDED IN OTHER EXPENSES REPRESENTS Y2K EXPENDITURES.
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