SERVICEMASTER LTD PARTNERSHIP
10-Q, 1996-11-14
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
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<PAGE>


                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                     FORM 10-Q


           __x__ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                 THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended  September 30, 1996
                                                 ------------------

           _____ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
                 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the transition period from  ________ to ________

                               Commission file number 1-9378

                         SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                   36-3497008
(State or other jurisdiction of           (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

One ServiceMaster Way, Downers Grove, Illinois                  60515
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)

                                     630-271-1300
                  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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
shares:  142,121,103  shares on November  12,  1996 (this  figure  reflects  the
three-for-two  share  split  declared  May 3, 1996 and paid to  shareholders  of
record as of June 10, 1996).


This document consists of 12 pages, including the cover page.


<PAGE>



                                         

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                             No.
                                                                            ----
SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (Registrant) -

Part I.  Financial Information
- ------------------------------

Consolidated Statements of Income for the
   three months and the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995                                      2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
   as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995                              3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine
 months ended September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995                        4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                     5

Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial
   Position and Results of Operations                                          6


Part II.  Other Information
- --------  -----------------

Exhibit 11 - Exhibit Regarding Detail of Income
   Per Share Computation                                                      10

Signature                                                                     11


                                1


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                        SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                    Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,                   September 30,
                                                    1996          1995             1996            1995
                                                    ----          ----             ----            ----

<S>                                              <C>         <C>              <C>              <C>        
Operating Revenue................................$ 927,227   $  854,383       $ 2,584,457      $ 2,414,938

Operating Costs and Expenses:
Cost of services rendered
  and products sold..............................  708,100      654,699         2,001,709        1,881,068
Selling and administrative expenses..............  137,094      130,513           367,470          346,909
                                                  --------    ---------        ----------       ----------

Total operating costs and expenses...............  845,194      785,212         2,369,179        2,227,977
                                                  --------    ---------        ----------       ----------

Operating Income.................................   82,033       69,171           215,278          186,961

Non-operating Expense (Income):
Interest expense.................................    9,836        8,788            28,658           27,182
Interest and investment income...................   (2,335)      (2,044)           (7,465)          (5,546)
Minority interest*...............................    3,623       12,785             8,221           34,895
                                                  --------    ---------        ----------       ----------

Income before Income Taxes.......................   70,909       49,642           185,864          130,430
Provision for income taxes.......................    2,109        1,892             5,287            3,640
                                                  --------    ---------        ----------       ----------

Net Income.......................................$  68,800   $   47,750     $     180,577      $   126,790
                                                  ========    =========      ============       ==========

Net Income Per Share.............................$     .48   $      .40     $        1.25      $      1.07
                                                  ========    =========      ============       ==========


Cash Distributions Per Share.....................$     .17   $      .16     $         .49      $   .47 1/3
                                                  ========    =========      ============       ==========


Net income per share is based on 144,492 shares and 119,390  shares  outstanding
for the three  months  ended  September  30,  1996 and 1995,  respectively,  and
144,529  shares  and  118,973  shares  outstanding  for the  nine  months  ended
September  30,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  All share and per share data have
been restated to reflect the three-for-two  share split declared May 3, 1996 and
paid to shareholders of record as of June 10, 1996.

* Includes  General  Partners'  interest of $1,395 and $971 for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995,  respectively,  and $3,666 and $2,574 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

                            See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>

                                         2

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




                                   SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                             Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
                                            (In thousands)                         As of
                                                                       September 30,    December 31,
Assets                                                                     1996             1995
                                                                       ------------    -------------

Current Assets:
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>           
Cash and marketable securities, including cash and
   cash equivalents of $46,147 and $23,113, respectively............. $      85,980   $       49,429
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of $27,158
   and $20,468, respectively.........................................       283,508          243,649
Inventories..........................................................        44,449           40,583
Prepaid expenses and other assets....................................        78,937           59,578
                                                                       ------------    -------------
    Total current assets.............................................       492,874          393,239
                                                                       ------------    -------------

Property and Equipment:
   At cost...........................................................       321,134          292,283
   Less: accumulated depreciation....................................       169,186          146,431
                                                                       ------------    -------------
    Net property and equipment.......................................       151,948          145,852
                                                                       ------------    -------------

Intangible assets, primarily trade names and goodwill,
   net of accumulated amortization of $162,101
   and $133,275, respectively........................................     1,070,839        1,021,050
Notes receivable, long-term securities, and other assets.............       112,775           89,749
                                                                       ------------    -------------

    Total assets.....................................................$    1,828,436   $    1,649,890
                                                                       ============    =============

Liabilities And Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable.....................................................$       56,221   $       50,456
Accrued liabilities..................................................       209,370          193,799
Deferred revenues....................................................       122,298          115,244
Current portion of long-term obligations.............................        14,360           13,431
                                                                       ------------    -------------
    Total current liabilities........................................       402,249          372,930
                                                                       ------------    -------------

Long-Term Debt.......................................................       501,140          411,903
Other Long-Term Obligations..........................................       123,300          105,700
Commitments and Contingencies .......................................

Minority and General Partners' Interest
   includes General Partners' interest of
   $1,775 in 1996 and $1,392 in 1995.................................        15,226           12,697

Shareholders' Equity.................................................       786,521          746,660
                                                                       ------------    -------------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.......................$    1,828,436   $    1,649,890
                                                                       ============    =============

                            See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
</TABLE>

                                            3

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                   SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                            (In thousands)
                                                                               Nine Months Ended
                                                                                 September 30,
                                                                             1996             1995
                                                                         ------------   -------------


<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>           
Cash and Cash Equivalents at January 1................................  $      23,113  $       14,333

Cash Flows from Operations:

Net Income............................................................        180,577         126,790
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash flows from operations:
       Depreciation...................................................         30,613          27,985
       Amortization...................................................         28,826          21,209
       Change in working capital, net of acquisitions:
         Receivables..................................................        (40,273)        (58,512)
         Inventories and other current assets.........................        (24,000)        (14,238)
         Accounts payable.............................................          3,541           8,658
         Deferred revenues............................................          1,893           6,448
         Accrued liabilities..........................................         23,872          19,712
       Minority interest and other, net...............................          3,339          33,748
                                                                         ------------   -------------
Net Cash Provided from Operations.....................................        208,388         171,800
                                                                         ------------   -------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
    Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired.......................        (40,550)        (24,676)
    Property additions................................................        (33,795)        (35,505)
    Net purchases of securities.......................................        (17,218)         (5,679)
    Notes receivable and financial investments........................         (6,631)        (16,371)
    Proceeds from sale of businesses..................................          4,526          20,057
    Payments to sellers of acquired businesses........................         (2,307)         (2,175)
    Sale of equipment and other assets ..............................           1,399           1,759
                                                                         ------------   -------------
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities............................        (94,576)        (62,590)
                                                                         ------------   -------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
    Short-term borrowings, net........................................        129,573         101,364
    Distributions to shareholders and shareholders' trust.............       (107,930)        (88,104)
    Purchase of treasury shares.......................................        (60,093)        (37,988)
    Payments of borrowings and other obligations......................        (53,975)        (52,958)
    Proceeds from employee share option plans.........................          3,974           3,106
    Distributions to holders of minority interests....................         (3,025)        (22,573)
    Other.............................................................            698             274
                                                                         ------------   -------------
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities................................        (90,778)        (96,879)
                                                                         ------------   -------------

Cash Increase during the Period.......................................         23,034          12,331
                                                                         ------------   -------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents at September 30.............................  $      46,147  $       26,664
                                                                         ============   =============


                            See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>


                                           4



<PAGE>


                          SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1: The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of the
Partnership and its significant  subsidiaries,  collectively referred to as "the
Partnership".  Intercompany  transactions  and balances have been  eliminated in
consolidation.

Note 2: The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared
by the  Partnership  pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange  Commission.  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 such rules and
regulations. However, the Partnership believes that the disclosures are adequate
to make the  information  presented not  misleading.  It is suggested that these
consolidated  financial  statements  be read in  conjunction  with the financial
statements  and the notes thereto  included in the  Partnership's  latest Annual
Report to  shareholders  and the Annual  Report to the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1995. In the opinion of
the  Partnership,  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of normal  and  recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of ServiceMaster
Limited  Partnership  as of September  30, 1996 and  December 31, 1995,  and the
results of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended September
30, 1996 and 1995,  and the cash flows for the nine months ended  September  30,
1996 and 1995,  have been  included.  The results of operations  for any interim
period are not necessarily indicative of the results which might be obtained for
a full year.

Note 3: For interim accounting purposes,  certain costs directly associated with
the  generation of lawn care revenues are initially  deferred and  recognized as
expense  as the  related  revenues  are  recognized.  All such  costs  are fully
recognized within the fiscal year in which they are incurred.

Note  4: On May 3,  1996,  the  Partnership's  Board  of  Directors  declared  a
three-for-two share split effective June 24, 1996, for shareholders of record on
June 10, 1996.  All share and per share data have been  restated for all periods
presented to reflect this three-for-two split.

Note 5: In the Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows, the caption Cash and Cash
Equivalents includes investments in short-term,  highly-liquid securities having
a maturity of three  months or less.  Supplemental  information  relating to the
Consolidated  Statements  of Cash Flows for the nine months ended  September 30,
1996 and 1995 is presented in the following table. The increase in interest paid
in 1996 from 1995 is primarily due to increased debt balances.


                                                                (In thousands)
                                                                  1996     1995
                                                                -------  -------
Cash paid or received for:
- -------------------------
Interest expense.............................................  $ 24,295 $ 23,556
Interest and investment income...............................  $  5,640 $  5,099


                                      5


<PAGE>


                       SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                       MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER 1996 COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 1995
- -------------------------------------------------

Revenues  increased to $927  million in the third  quarter of 1996, a 9% overall
increase,  reflecting  growth in all segments,  with more rapid increases in the
Partnership's  higher  margin  segments.  Net  income was $68.8  million,  a 44%
increase  over one year ago while net  income  per share  grew 20% to $.48.  Net
income and  earnings  per share both  include the effects of the  December  1995
acquisition  of the  then-outstanding  minority  ownership  interest in Consumer
Services,  which  eliminated  the 28%  minority  interest  expense  in  Consumer
Services'   earnings  and  increased  the  number  of  shares   outstanding   by
approximately  27 million (on a post split basis).  Operating  income  increased
19%, to $82 million, while operating income margins increased 70 basis points to
8.8% of revenue from 8.1% last year,  reflecting  the continued  rapid growth of
higher margin  business units and the favorable  effects of overhead  leveraging
throughout the enterprise.

The Consumer Services business unit achieved a 15% increase in revenues and
stronger double digit growth in profits.  TruGreen-ChemLawn achieved strong
revenue and profit growth, reflecting increased residential production and
excellent growth in commercial revenues. Full program residential and commercial
customer counts exceeded corresponding prior year totals despite unfavorable
weather conditions which adversely affected marketing efforts earlier in the
year.  Terminix achieved solid growth in revenues, with strong increases in pest
control contracts and termite completions.  Profits increased at a more modest
pace due to changes in sales mix and higher selling and production costs. 
American Home Shield achieved very strong growth in both revenues and profits
due to increases in warranty contracts written as well as improvements in the
contract renewal rate. The Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Residential and
Commercial operations also achieved strong increases in revenues and profits
as a result of growth from  existing  franchises,  as well as the  expansion  of
company-owned operations.

The Management Services business segment achieved a sharp improvement in profits
due to the combined effects of a 2%  increase  in  revenues,  strong  cost
controls and the  elimination of wind-down  costs relating to the disposition of
the  education  food business that was sold in 1995.  The  Healthcare  business,
which  primarily  serves the acute  sector of the health care  market,  recorded
profits that were  consistent  with the prior year level.  Strong cost  controls
offset a modest decline in revenues, reflecting continuing competitive pressures
and industry  consolidation.  Revenues in the  Education  market showed a strong
increase,  resulting from improvements in sales and customer retention.  Profits
increased at a more modest pace due to lower margins on a higher mix of
large school  district  contracts.  The Business & Industry unit achieved strong
growth in revenues  and profits.

Diversified  Health  Services,  which  provides  services  to the long term care
sector of the health  care  market,  continued  to achieve  excellent  growth in
revenues  and profits,  with strong  growth in the units' core  business,  which
consists  of the  contract  management  of nursing  homes,  skilled  nursing and
assisted  living  facilities.  The  International  operations also achieved
increases in revenue and  profits, led by strong  growth in fees from  licensed
partners in Japan and the Pacific Rim.

                                   6

<PAGE>

On a consolidated  basis,  cost of services rendered and products sold increased
8.2% due to general  business  growth,  but decreased as a percentage of revenue
from  76.6% in 1995 to  76.4% in 1996.  This  decrease  primarily  reflects  the
changing  mix  of the  business  as  Consumer  Services  increases  in  size  in
relationship to the overall business of the Partnership.  The Consumer  Services
business  units  generally  operate at higher gross profit levels than the other
major business units but also incur somewhat  higher selling and  administrative
expenses.

Consolidated  selling  and  administrative  expenses  increased  due to  general
business  growth but  decreased as a percentage of revenue from 15.3% of revenue
in 1995 to 14.8% in 1996. This decrease  reflects  improved  efficiencies,  cost
controls and the leveraging of fixed costs throughout the enterprise.

Interest expense increased over the prior year reflecting  increased  borrowings
relating  to  acquisitions  and share  repurchases  made  throughout  1996.  The
decrease in minority  interest  expense  primarily  reflects the purchase of the
Consumer Services minority interest from WMX Technologies,  Inc., in December of
1995.  The income tax provision has increased  from the prior year primarily due
to strong growth at American  Home Shield (which is organized in corporate  form
and subject to taxes) and increases in certain state taxes.


NINE MONTHS ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS
- -------------------------------------------------------------
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
- ------------------------

Revenues  for the nine  months  were $2.6  billion,  a 7%  increase  over  1995.
Operating income increased 15%, to $215 million, while margins increased to 8.3%
of revenue from 7.7% in 1995,  reflecting the combined  effects of the continued
rapid  growth of higher  margin  business  units and the  favorable  effects  of
overhead  leveraging  throughout the enterprise.  Net income was $181 million, a
42%  increase,  while  earnings per share  totalled  $1.25,  an increase of 17%.
Results  for  the  nine  months  include  the  effects  of  the  December,  1995
transaction  with WMX  Technologies,  Inc., which increased the number of shares
outstanding by  approximately  27 million (on a post split basis) and eliminated
the 28% minority interest expense in Consumer Services' earnings.

The Consumer Services business segment continued to achieve  double-digit growth
in revenues and profits.  The  TruGreen-ChemLawn  operations had solid growth in
revenues and profits despite late winter and damp spring weather throughout many
parts of the country, which contrasted with generally mild conditions  in the
previous  year.  Continued  growth in the  residential  customer base and strong
commercial   sales,   combined  with  the  favorable   effects  of  new  service
initiatives,  helped to  offset  these  weather  related  adversities.  Terminix
achieved  very good growth in revenues  and profits as a result of  increases in
pest control revenues, termite completions and improvements in contract renewals
and customer  retention.  American Home Shield had excellent  growth in revenues
and profits,  with very strong  increases in new contract  sales and  continuing
improvements  in  contract  renewals.   The  Merry  Maids  and  Residential  and
Commercial  operations  both achieved  strong growth in revenues and profits and
continued their expansion of direct operations.

The Management  Services  business  segment recorded solid growth in profits for
the first nine months,  reflecting the  elimination  of losses  incurred in 1995

                                       7

<PAGE>

prior to the sale of the education food service  business as well as the ongoing
benefit of strong cost controls and improved customer  retention.  Revenues from
continuing  operations increased slightly from the prior year as improvements in
Education and Business and Industry  offset the  reductions in  Healthcare.  The
Healthcare  market  achieved  profits  consistent with last year, as strong cost
controls  offset a modest  decline in revenues,  reflecting  difficult  industry
conditions  in the  acute  care  sector  of the  market.  The  Education  market
experienced good revenue growth with increased sales and improved  retention but
profits  declined  slightly  reflecting  lower  margins on  contracts  at larger
facilities.  The  Business  & Industry  group  achieved  double-digit  growth in
revenues and profits.

ServiceMaster   Diversified   Health  Services   continued  to  experience  very
significant  growth in  revenues  and  profits  reflecting  solid  increases  in
management services and rehabilitation  operations (which were started in 1995).
The International  operations also achieved significant increases in revenue and
profits with  continued  growth in the  customer  base and strong sales from the
European pest control businesses and continued improvements in royalty fees from
existing licensees. 

On a consolidated  basis,  cost of services rendered and products sold increased
6.4% due to general  business  growth,  but decreased as a percentage of revenue
from 77.9% in 1995 to 77.5% in 1996.  As noted for the  quarter,  this  decrease
primarily  reflects  the  changing  mix of the  business  as  Consumer  Services
increases in size in relation to the overall business of the Partnership.

Consolidated selling and administrative  expenses increased 5.9% over prior year
levels.  As  a  percentage  of  revenue,  selling  and  administrative  expenses
decreased  from 14.4% in 1995 to 14.2% in 1996,  reflecting  the  leveraging  of
fixed costs and improved productivity throughout the enterprise.

Interest income  increased over the prior year due to realized gains on the sale
of marketable  securities  at American Home Shield in 1996,  whereas small gains
were realized in 1995.  Minority  interest expense decreased due to the purchase
of the  Consumer  Services  minority  interest  from WMX  Technologies,  Inc. in
December of 1995.  Income  taxes  increased  from prior year  reflecting  strong
growth in the American Home Shield and International operations.


FINANCIAL  POSITION
- -------------------

Net cash provided  from  operations  for the first nine months  increased 21% to
approximately  $208  million.  Due to  seasonal  factors,  the  Partnership  has
proportionately  greater  working capital needs for the first nine months of the
year than for the year as a whole, with a corresponding impact on funds provided
from  operations.  Management  believes that funds generated from operations and
other  existing  resources  will  continue to be adequate to satisfy the ongoing
working capital needs of the Partnership.

The increase in accounts and notes  receivable  over prior year levels  reflects
traditional  seasonal  buildups in the  Consumer  Services  business and general
business  growth,  partially  offset  by the  collection  of  short  term  notes
receivable from specific financing projects.

The  increase in  inventories  is a result of normal  business  growth.  Prepaid
expenses and other assets have  increased  from the prior year  primarily due to
strong growth at American Home Shield,  where initial direct  contract costs are
capitalized  and expensed  over the life of the service  contract.


                                      8

<PAGE>

Property and equipment  increased  slightly due to general business growth.  The
Partnership has no material capital  commitments at this time. Notes receivable,
long-term  securities and other assets increased from year end reflecting larger
investment balances at American Home Shield, and to a lesser degree, non-compete
agreements entered into as part of recent acquisitions.

Accounts payable and other  liabilities  increased from the prior year level due
to general  business growth and the effects of acquisitions.  Deferred  revenues
increased  primarily as a result of strong growth in warranty  contracts written
at American Home Shield.

The Partnership  completed a $125 million  private  placement of debt during the
third quarter at an overall  effective  interest rate of 7.4%, with the proceeds
used to refinance floating rate bank debt that was previously outstanding.

The  Partnership  is a party to a number  of  long-term  debt  agreements  which
require it to maintain  compliance with certain financial  covenants,  including
limitations on indebtedness,  restricted payments,  fixed charge coverage ratios
and net worth.  The Partnership is in compliance  with the covenants  related to
these debt agreements.

Total  shareholders'  equity increased to $787 million in 1996 from $747 million
at December 31, 1995, reflecting strong earnings offset in part by distributions
and treasury share purchases.  In December,  1995, the Board of Directors of the
Partnership  authorized  the  repurchase  of up to $150  million of  outstanding
Partnership shares in the open market or in  privately-negotiated  transactions.
As of  September  30,  1996,  approximately  $89  million  of the  total  amount
authorized had not yet been expended.

Cash distributions paid directly to shareholders  totalled $70 million ($.49 per
share) for the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996,  in  comparison  to $56
million  ($.47  1/3 per  share)  in 1995.  This  reflects  the  increase  in the
authorized  payments per share  announced  last  December (a 4% increase for the
year  as  a  whole)  as  well  as  the  higher  number  of  shares  outstanding.
Distributions  of $36  million  were also made to the  shareholder  trust.  This
increase  was  virtually  offset by a  reduction  in  distributions  to minority
interest  holders,  which  resulted  from the December  1995  repurchase  of the
minority ownership interest in the partnership's Consumer Services subsidiary.


                                    9




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                             Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION

                                          SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                                     Exhibit 11
                              EXHIBIT REGARDING DETAIL OF INCOME PER SHARE COMPUTATION
                                        (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                           Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                                                              September 30,                 September 30,
                                                          1996            1995           1996          1995
                                                       ----------       --------      ---------    ---------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>       
Shares used for computing
  primary earnings per share--

Shares outstanding on weighted
  average basis......................................     140,712        115,778        141,019      115,943

Equivalent shares--
  Options and subscriptions outstanding..............       3,780          3,612          3,510        3,030
                                                       ----------      ---------      ---------    ---------

Weighted average and
  equivalent shares for primary calculation..........     144,492        119,390        144,529      118,973
                                                       ==========      =========      =========     ========

Primary earnings per share...........................      $  .48         $  .40        $  1.25       $ 1.07
                                                           ======         ======        =======       ======


Net income...........................................  $   68,800      $  47,750     $  180,577   $  126,790

Interest on convertible debentures...................         465            479          1,403        1,429
                                                       ----------      ---------      ---------   ----------

Net income for fully diluted calculation.............  $   69,265      $  48,229      $ 181,980   $  128,219
                                                       ==========      =========     ==========   ==========


Shares used for computing fully
 diluted earnings per share--

Shares outstanding...................................     144,792        119,481        145,099      119,646

Equivalent shares--
Shares issuable upon conversion of
  convertible debentures.............................       2,418          2,453          2,418        2,453
                                                       ----------      ---------      ---------    ---------

Weighted average and equivalent shares
  for fully diluted calculation......................     147,210        121,934        147,517      122,099
                                                       ==========      =========       ========    =========

Fully diluted earnings per share.....................       $ .47         $  .40         $ 1.23       $ 1.05
                                                            =====         ======         ======       ======


All share and per share data have been  restated  to reflect  the  three-for-two
share split declared May 3, 1996 and paid to  shareholders  of record as of June
10, 1996.

</TABLE>

                                  10

<PAGE>



                                      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.

Date: November 13, 1996


                  SERVICEMASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                  (Registrant)

                  By:     /s/Ernest J. Mrozek
                     ------------------------------
                             Ernest J. Mrozek
                  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


                                  11

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         46,147
<SECURITIES>                                   39,833
<RECEIVABLES>                                 310,666
<ALLOWANCES>                                   27,158
<INVENTORY>                                    44,449
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              492,874
<PP&E>                                        321,134
<DEPRECIATION>                                169,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,828,436
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         402,249
<BONDS>                                       501,140
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                    786,521
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,828,436
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            2,584,457
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               2,001,709
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              367,470
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             28,658
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               185,864
<INCOME-TAX>                                    5,287
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           180,577
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  180,577
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.23
        


</TABLE>


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