BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1997-08-13
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 --------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                 --------------

                   [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
                 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 1997

                           Commission File No. 0-21886


                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Maryland                               52-0812977

         (State or other jurisdiction of                 (IRS Employer
         incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

             4724 SW Macadam Avenue
                Portland, Oregon                               97201

    (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

                              (503) 220-0988

              (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  report),  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                  Yes [ X ]                 No [   ]

Number of shares of Common Stock,  $.01 par value  outstanding  at July 31, 1997
was 6,727,423 shares.


<PAGE>


                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                                      INDEX

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

Part I - Financial Information

    Item 1.           Financial Statements

                      Balance Sheets - June 30, 1997 and
                      December 31, 1996.......................................3

                      Statements of Operations - Three Months
                      Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996............................4

                      Statements of Operations - Six Months
                      Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996............................5

                      Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months
                      Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996............................6

                      Notes to Financial Statements...........................7

    Item 2.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                      Financial Condition and Results of
                      Operations.............................................10

Part II - Other Information

    Item 1.           Legal Proceedings......................................16

    Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
                      Holders................................................17

    Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.......................17

Signatures            .......................................................18


Exhibit Index         .......................................................19


                                       2
<PAGE>



                         PART I - Financial Information


Item 1.  Financial Statements

                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                                 Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)

                                                     June 30,      December 31,
                                                       1997           1996
                                                     --------      ------------
         Assets

Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                       $   459         $ 1,901
     Trade accounts receivable, net                   22,686          19,057
     Note receivable                                       -             324
     Prepaid expenses and other                        1,485             914
     Deferred tax asset (Note 4)                       1,433           1,279
                                                      ------          ------
        Total current assets                          26,063          23,475
Intangibles, net                                      12,785          10,226
Property and equipment, net                            3,641           3,111
Restricted marketable securities
 and workers' compensation deposits                    6,074           5,707
Other assets                                             143             127
                                                      ------          ------
                                                     $48,706         $42,646
                                                      ======          ======

         Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
     Advances on credit line                         $ 1,896             $ -
     Current portion of long-term debt                    70              36
     Income taxes payable (Note 4)                       223               -
     Accounts payable                                    715             667
     Accrued payroll, payroll taxes
      and related benefits                             9,967           7,354
     Accrued workers' compensation claims
      liabilities                                      2,488           2,240
     Customer safety incentives payable                1,005           1,015
     Other accrued liabilities                           559             606
                                                      ------          ------
         Total current liabilities                    16,923          11,918
Long-term debt, net of current portion                   819             838
Customer deposits                                        939             890
Long-term workers' compensation
 liabilities                                             608             613
Other long-term liabilities                            1,014               -
                                                      ------          ------
                                                      20,303          14,259
                                                      ------          ------
Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable common stock, 159 shares issued
 and outstanding (Note 2)                                  -           2,825

Nonredeemable stockholders' equity:
     Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,500
      shares authorized, 6,727 and 6,625
      shares issued and outstanding, respectively         67              66
     Additional paid-in capital                       11,685          10,929
     Retained earnings                                16,651          14,567
                                                      ------          ------
                                                      28,403          25,562
                                                      ------          ------
                                                     $48,706         $42,646
                                                      ======          ======

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


                                        3
<PAGE>



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                            Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                              June 30,
                                                       ----------------------
                                                        1997            1996
                                                       ------          ------
Revenues:                                   
     Staffing services                                $38,403         $27,091
     Professional employer services                    32,052          24,780
                                                       ------          ------
                                                       70,455          51,871
Cost of revenues:                           
     Direct payroll costs                              54,164          39,160
     Payroll taxes and benefits                         6,794           4,989
     Workers' compensation                              1,973           1,213
     Safety incentives                                    381             362
                                                       ------          ------
                                                       63,312          45,724
                                                       ------          ------
                                            
Gross margin                                            7,143           6,147
                                            
Selling, general and administrative         
 expenses                                               4,857           3,939
Amortization of intangibles                               275             209
                                                       ------          ------
                                            
Income from operations                                  2,011           1,999
                                            
Other income (expense):                     
     Interest expense                                     (42)            (21)
     Interest income                                       87             126
     Other, net                                             -               1
                                                       ------          ------
                                                           45             106
                                                       ------          ------

Income before provision for income taxes                2,056           2,105
Provision for income taxes                                802             800
                                                       ------          ------
                                            
Net income                                            $ 1,254         $ 1,305
                                                       ======          ======
                                            
Primary earnings per share (Note 6)                    $  .19         $   .19
                                                       ======          ======
                                            
Primary weighted average number of common
 stock equivalent shares outstanding                    6,736           6,978
                                                       ======          ======










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

                                       4
<PAGE>



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                            Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                         Six Months Ended
                                                             June 30,
                                                       ----------------------
                                                         1997           1996
                                                       -------         ------
Revenues:
     Staffing services                                $ 71,134        $49,719
     Professional employer services                     62,101         45,337
                                                       -------         ------
                                                       133,235         95,056
Cost of revenues:
     Direct payroll costs                              102,203         71,878
     Payroll taxes and benefits                         13,253          9,322
     Workers' compensation                               3,828          1,983
     Safety incentives                                     704            709
                                                       -------         ------
                                                       119,988         83,892
                                                       -------         ------

Gross margin                                            13,247         11,164

Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                                                9,372          7,567
Amortization of intangibles                                592            369
                                                       -------         ------

Income from operations                                   3,283          3,228

Other income (expense):
     Interest expense                                      (67)           (42)
     Interest income                                       189            252
     Other, net                                              1              -
                                                       -------         ------
                                                           123            210
                                                       -------         ------

Income before provision for income taxes                 3,406          3,438
Provision for income taxes                               1,322          1,306
                                                       -------         ------

Net income                                            $  2,084        $ 2,132
                                                       =======         ======

Primary earnings per share (Note 6)                   $    .31        $   .31
                                                       =======         ======

Primary weighted average number of common 
 stock equivalent shares outstanding                     6,768          6,883
                                                       =======         ======









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

                                       5
<PAGE>



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                            Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)
                                                            Six Months Ended
                                                                June 30,
                                                          ---------------------
                                                           1997           1996
                                                          ------         ------

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                            $ 2,084        $ 2,132
   Reconciliation of net income to cash
    from operations:
      Depreciation and amortization                          775            512
   Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net
    of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
      Trade accounts receivable, net                      (3,083)        (2,954)
      Note receivable                                        324              -
      Prepaid expenses and other                            (505)          (153)
      Deferred tax asset                                    (154)           273
      Accounts payable                                        39           (262)
      Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related
       benefits                                            2,606          2,543
      Accrued workers' compensation claims
       liabilities                                           248           (777)
      Customer safety incentives payable                     (10)           205
      Income taxes payable                                   212            443
      Other accrued liabilities                             (171)           (92)
      Customer deposits and long-term workers' 
       compensation liabilities                               44            183
      Other long-term liabilities                             14              -
                                                          ------         ------
   Net cash provided by operating activities               2,423          2,053
                                                          ------         ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
      Cash paid for acquisitions, including other
       direct costs (Note 3)                              (2,246)          (113)
      Purchases of fixed assets, net of amounts
       purchased in acquisitions                            (639)          (206)
      Proceeds from maturities of marketable
       securities                                          3,782          3,244
      Purchases of marketable securities                  (4,149)        (4,380)
                                                          ------         ------
   Net cash used in investing activities                  (3,252)        (1,455)
                                                          ------         ------

Cash flows from financing activities:
      Payment of credit line assumed in acquisition         (401)             -
      Proceeds from credit line borrowings                 1,896              -
      Payments on long-term debt                             (40)           (16)
      Repurchase of common stock                          (2,825)             -
      Proceeds from exercise of stock
       options and warrants                                  757            109
                                                          ------         ------
   Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities      (613)            93
                                                          ------         ------
Net (decrease)increase in cash and cash equivalents       (1,442)           691

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period             1,901          3,218
                                                          ------         ------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                  $  459        $ 3,909
                                                          ======         ======

Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:
   Acquisition of other businesses:
      Cost of acquisitions in excess of fair market
       value of net assets acquired                      $ 3,179        $ 2,898
      Tangible assets acquired                               674            472
      Liabilities assumed                                  1,607             52
      Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions      -          3,205

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      6
<PAGE>



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                          Notes to Financial Statements


NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF INTERIM PERIOD STATEMENTS:

                  The accompanying  financial  statements are unaudited and have
been prepared by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to the
rules  and  regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  Certain
information  and note  disclosures  typically  included in financial  statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and  regulations.  In the opinion of
management, the financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments,  necessary for a fair statement of the results for
the  interim  periods  presented.  The  financial  statements  should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial  statements and notes thereto included in
the  Company's  1996 Annual  Report on Form 10-K at pages 28-51.  The results of
operations for an interim period are not  necessarily  indicative of the results
of operations for a full year.

                  In February 1997,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board
issued Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 128 "Earnings
Per  Share."  SFAS 128  replaces  APB  Opinion  15,  "Earnings  Per  Share," and
simplifies the  computation of EPS by replacing the  presentation of primary EPS
with a presentation  of basic EPS. In accordance  with this  pronouncement,  the
Company will adopt the new standard for periods  ending after December 15, 1997.
The impact of the SFAS 128 EPS calculation  for the three and six-month  periods
ended June 30, 1997 is not material.

                  Certain prior year amounts have been  reclassified  to conform
with the 1997 presentation.  Such  reclassifications had no impact on net income
or stockholders' equity.


NOTE 2 - REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK:

                  On  April  11,  1997,  pursuant  to a Plan  and  Agreement  of
Reorganization  between StaffAmerica,  Inc. and the Company dated April 1, 1996,
the Company  repurchased from  StaffAmerica and its two shareholders all 159,154
shares of common stock previously issued by the Company as consideration for the
acquisition,  for a total of $2,824,984 or $17.75 per share.  Upon completion of
the share repurchase, the Company canceled the shares of common stock.


NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS:

                  Effective February 1, 1997, the Company acquired D&L Personnel
Department  Specialists,  Inc., dba HR Only, a staffing  services  company which
specializes  in human  resource  professionals  with  offices in Los Angeles and
Orange County,  California.  The Company paid  $1,800,000 in cash for all of the
outstanding  common  stock of HR Only  and  $1,200,000  in cash  for  noncompete
agreements with certain  individuals,  of which $1,000,000 will be deferred with

                                       7
<PAGE>

simple interest at 5% per annum for five years and then be paid ratably over the
succeeding five-year period. The deferred portion of the noncompete agreement is
presented  on the  balance  sheet  in other  long-term  liabilities.  HR  Only's
revenues  for the fiscal year ended  January 31,  1997 were  approximately  $4.3
million.  The  transaction  was  accounted  for  under  the  purchase  method of
accounting, which resulted in $3,027,000 of intangible assets, including $92,000
for acquisition-related costs, and $65,000 of net tangible assets.

                  Effective April 13, 1997, the Company  acquired certain assets
of JRL  Services,  Inc.,  dba TLC  Staffing,  a provider  of  clerical  staffing
services located in Tucson,  Arizona. TLC Staffing had revenues of approximately
$800,000  (unaudited)  for the year ended  December 31,  1996.  The Company paid
$150,000 in cash for the assets,  assumed an $18,000 office lease  liability and
incurred  approximately $4,000 in acquisition related costs. The transaction was
accounted  for under  the  purchase  method of  accounting,  which  resulted  in
$152,000 of intangible assets and $2,000 of fixed assets.


NOTE 4 - PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:

                  Deferred  tax  assets   (liabilities)  are  comprised  of  the
following components (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                June 30, 1997       December 31, 1996
                                                ------------        -----------------
<S>                                              <C>                       <C>   
Accrued workers' compensation claims
     liabilities                                 $1,213                    $1,113

Allowance for doubtful accounts                      30                        10

Tax depreciation in excess of book
     depreciation                                  (161)                     (154)

Safety incentives                                   284                       281

Book amortization of intangibles in excess
     of tax amortization                             67                        29
                                                  -----                     -----

                                                 $1,433                    $1,279
                                                  =====                     =====
</TABLE>

The  provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996,
is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Six Months            Six Months
                                                     Ended                 Ended
                                                 June 30, 1997         June 30, 1996
                                                 -------------         -------------

<S>                                              <C>                        <C>  
Current:
     Federal                                     $1,195                     $ 843
     State                                          281                       190
                                                  -----                     -----
                                                  1,476                     1,033
Deferred:
     Federal                                       (127)                      228
     State                                          (27)                       45
                                                  -----                     -----
                                                   (154)                      273
                                                  -----                     -----

         Provision for income taxes              $1,322                    $1,306
                                                  =====                     =====
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>

NOTE 5 - STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN:

                  In 1993,  the  Company  adopted  a stock  incentive  plan (the
"Plan")  which  provides  for  stock-based  awards to the  Company's  employees,
directors and outside  consultants  or advisers.  The number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance under the Plan is 1,300,000.

                  The following table summarizes  options granted under the Plan
in 1997:

Outstanding at December 31, 1996          491,998         $ 3.50 to $16.36

Options granted                           111,011         $13.38 to $17.94
Options exercised                         (42,375)        $ 3.50 to $15.06
Options canceled or expired               (39,375)        $ 3.50 to $15.06
                                          -------

Outstanding at June 30, 1997              521,259         $ 3.50 to $17.94
                                          =======

Exercisable at June 30, 1997              199,708
                                          =======

Available for grant at
     June 30, 1997                        612,616
                                          =======

The  options  listed in the table  generally  become  exercisable  in four equal
annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant.


NOTE 6- NET INCOME PER SHARE:

                  Net  income  per  share  for  1997 is  computed  based  on the
weighted average number of actual shares of common stock outstanding  during the
period,  without giving effect to securities  that would otherwise be considered
to be common stock equivalents because such securities aggregate less than 3% of
shares outstanding and, thus, are not considered dilutive.  Net income per share
for 1996 is computed  based on the weighted  average  number of common stock and
common  stock  equivalent  shares  outstanding  during the period;  common stock
equivalents aggregated more than 3% of shares outstanding for such period.


                                       9
<PAGE>


Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

                  The  following  table  sets  forth  the  percentages  of total
revenues represented by selected items in the Company's Statements of Operations
for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 1997 and 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Percentage of Total Revenues
                                                            ----------------------------
                                               Three Months Ended                  Six Months Ended
                                                    June 30,                           June 30,
                                             ----------------------             ----------------------

                                             1997              1996             1997              1996
                                             ----              ----             ----              ----
Revenues:
<S>                                         <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>  
     Staffing services                       54.5%             52.2%            53.4%             52.3%
     Professional employer services          45.5              47.8             46.6              47.7
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----
         Total revenues                     100.0             100.0            100.0             100.0
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----

Cost of revenues:
     Direct payroll costs                    76.9              75.5             76.7              75.6
     Payroll taxes and benefits               9.7               9.6             10.0               9.8
     Workers' compensation                    2.8               2.3              2.9               2.1
     Safety incentives                         .5                .7               .5                .8
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----
          Total cost of revenues             89.9              88.1             90.1              88.3
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----

Gross margin                                 10.1              11.9              9.9              11.7
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                                     6.9               7.6              7.0               8.0
Amortization of intangibles                    .4                .4               .4                .3
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----
Income from operations                        2.8               3.9              2.5               3.4
Other income (expense)                         .1                .2               .1                .2
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----
Pretax income                                 2.9               4.1              2.6               3.6
Provision for income taxes                    1.1               1.6              1.0               1.4
                                            -----             -----            -----             -----
Net income                                    1.8               2.5              1.6               2.2
                                            =====             =====            =====             =====
</TABLE>


                    Three months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996

                  Net income for the second  quarter of 1997 was  $1,254,000,  a
decrease  of $51,000 or 3.9% from the same period in 1996.  The  decrease in net
income was  attributable to a lower gross margin percent and increased  selling,
general and administrative  expenses.  Earnings per share for the second quarter
of 1997 were $.19, the same amount as the second quarter of 1996.

                  Revenues for the second quarter of 1997 totaled  approximately
$70.5  million,  an increase of  approximately  $18.6  million or 35.8% over the
second  quarter  of  1996.  The  quarter-over-quarter  internal  growth  rate of
revenues  was 25.1%.  The  percentage  increase in total  revenues  exceeded the
internal  growth  rate of  revenues  primarily  due to the  acquisition  of five
staffing and PEO businesses since July 1, 1996.


                                       10
<PAGE>


                  The higher  internal  growth rate of revenues of 25.1% for the
1997 second  quarter  compared to 4.8% for the 1996 second quarter was primarily
attributable  to the  opening of four new branch  offices  during 1996 and early
1997 in Boise, Idaho, Tucson, Arizona, Ontario, California, and Flint, Michigan,
coupled  with the  continued  growth in  business at  existing  branch  offices.
Staffing services revenue increased  approximately $11.3 million or 41.8%, while
professional  employer services revenue increased  approximately $7.3 million or
29.3%, which resulted in an increase in the mix of staffing services to 54.5% of
total  revenues  for the second  quarter of 1997,  as  compared to 52.2% for the
second quarter of 1996. The mix of professional employer services revenues had a
corresponding decline from 47.8% for the second quarter of 1996 to 45.5% for the
second quarter of 1997.

                  Gross   margin  for  the  second   quarter  of  1997   totaled
approximately  $7.1 million,  which  represented  an increase of $1.0 million or
16.2% over the second  quarter of 1996.  The gross margin  percent  decreased to
10.1% of revenues for the second  quarter of 1997,  as compared to 11.9% for the
same  period of 1996.  The  decline in the gross  margin  percentage  was due to
higher direct payroll costs and workers'  compensation expense, both in terms of
total dollars and as a percentage of revenues. The increase in the percentage of
direct  payroll costs from 75.5% for the second quarter of 1996 to 76.9% for the
second quarter of 1997 was primarily attributable to increased business activity
in contract  staffing  and on-site  management  arrangements,  which also have a
lower workers'  compensation risk profile. The increase in workers' compensation
expense to 2.8% of revenues for the 1997 second quarter, up from the 1996 second
quarter  level of 2.3% of  revenues,  was due to a higher  incidence of injuries
during the 1997  period as  compared  to 1996 and  management's  decision to (i)
continue to increase the Company's  accrual for future adverse loss  development
of open  claims,  and (ii) build an accrual for  potential  future  catastrophic
workers' compensation claims.

                  The  following   table   summarizes   certain   indicators  of
performance  regarding the Company's  self-insured workers' compensation program
for each of the first two quarters of 1997 and 1996.

                   Self-Insured Workers' Compensation Profile

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Total Workers'
                                                      Total Workers'                     Comp Expense
                     No. of Injury                     Comp Expense                        as a % of
                        Claims                        (in thousands)                     Total Payroll
                  -----------------                --------------------               --------------------
                  1997         1996                1997            1996               1997            1996
                  ----         ----                ----            ----               ----            ----

<S>                <C>          <C>              <C>             <C>                  <C>             <C> 
     Q1            321          193              $1,855          $  770               3.9%            2.4%
     Q2            419          312               1,973           1,213               3.6             3.1
                   ---          ---               -----           -----               ---             ---
     YTD           740          505              $3,828          $1,983               3.7%            2.8%
                   ===          ===               =====           =====               ===             === 

</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>


                  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  for the 1997
second quarter amounted to approximately  $4.9 million,  an increase of $918,000
or 23.3% over the comparable period in 1996. These expenses,  however, decreased
from 7.6% of revenues for the second quarter of 1996 to 6.9% of revenues for the
second quarter of 1997. The increase in total dollars was primarily attributable
to additional branch office expenses as a result of the five acquisitions  since
July 1, 1996, and the opening of four new offices in 1996 and early 1997.

                  Amortization  of  intangibles  totaled  $275,000,  or  .4%  of
revenues for the second  quarter of 1997,  which  compares to $209,000 or .4% of
revenues for the same period in 1996.  The  increased  amortization  expense was
primarily due to amortization from the Company's five acquisitions since July 1,
1996.

                  The  Company  offers  various  employee  benefit  plans to its
employees,  including  its worksite  employees.  These  employee  benefit  plans
include a savings plan (the "401(k)  plan") under Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue  Code (the  "Code"),  a cafeteria  plan under Code  Section 125, a group
health plan, a group life insurance plan, a group disability insurance plan, and
an employee  assistance plan.  Generally,  employee benefit plans are subject to
provisions  of both the Code and the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act
("ERISA").  In order to qualify  for  favorable  tax  treatment  under the Code,
qualified  plans must be  established  and  maintained  by an  employer  for the
exclusive  benefit of its  employees.  In the event the tax exempt status of the
Company's benefit plans were to be discontinued and the benefit plans were to be
disqualified, such actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business,  financial condition, and results of operations.  Reference is made to
pages 12-14 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed
discussion of this issue.

                  Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996

                  Net  income  for  the six  months  ended  June  30,  1997  was
$2,084,000,  a decrease  of $48,000  or 2.3% from the same  period in 1996.  The
decrease  in net income was  primarily  due to a lower gross  margin  percentage
owing to increased direct payroll costs and workers'  compensation  expense. Net
income  per share for the six  months  ended  June 30,  1997 was $.31,  the same
amount as the six months ended June 30, 1996.

                  Revenues  for the six  months  ended  June  30,  1997  totaled
approximately  $133.2  million,  an increase of  approximately  $38.2 million or
40.2% over the comparable  period of 1996. The internal  growth rate of revenues
was 25.1%.  The growth rate of total revenues  exceeded the internal growth rate
of revenues primarily due to the acquisition of five staffing and PEO businesses
between August 1996 and April 1997.


                                       12
<PAGE>


                  The higher  internal growth rate of revenues of 25.1% for 1997
compared  to the  1996  period  internal  growth  rate  of  5.1%  was  primarily
attributable  to the opening of four new branch offices during 1996 and in early
1997, coupled with the continued growth in business at existing branch offices.

                  Gross  margin for the six months  ended June 30, 1997  totaled
approximately  $13.2 million,  which  represented an increase of $2.1 million or
18.7% over the same period of 1996. The gross margin  percent  decreased to 9.9%
of revenues for the first six months of 1997,  as compared to 11.7% for the same
period of 1996.  The decline in the gross  margin  percentage  was due to higher
direct payroll costs and workers'  compensation  expense, both in terms of total
dollars and as a percentage  of  revenues.  The  increase in the  percentage  of
direct  payroll  costs  from 75.6% for the first six months of 1996 to 76.7% for
the first six months of 1997 was primarily  attributable  to increased  business
activity in contract staffing and on-site management arrangements.  The increase
in workers'  compensation  expense to 2.9% of revenues  for the six months ended
June 30, 1997, up from the 1996 period of 2.1% of revenues,  was due to a higher
incidence  of  injuries   during  the  1997  period  as  compared  to  1996  and
management's  decision to (i)  continue to increase  the  Company's  accrual for
future adverse loss  development  of open claims,  and (ii) build an accrual for
potential future catastrophic workers' compensation claims.

                  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  for  the six
months ended June 30, 1997 amounted to approximately  $9.4 million,  an increase
of $1.8 million or 23.9% over the  comparable  period in 1996.  These  expenses,
however, decreased from 8.0% of revenues for the 1996 period to 7.0% of revenues
for 1997. The increase in total dollars was primarily attributable to additional
branch office expenses as a result of the five  acquisitions  made since July 1,
1996, and the opening of four new offices.

                  Amortization  of  intangibles   totaled  $592,000  or  .4%  of
revenues  for the  six-month  period  ended June 30,  1997,  which  compares  to
$369,000 for the same period in 1996.  The  increased  amortization  expense was
attributable to amortization from the five acquisitions made since July 1, 1996.

Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results

                  The   Company   has   historically   experienced   significant
fluctuations in its quarterly operating results and expects such fluctuations to
continue in the future.  The Company's  operating results may fluctuate due to a
number of factors  such as  seasonality,  wage limits on payroll  taxes,  claims
expense for workers'  compensation,  demand and  competition  for the  Company's
services, and the effect of acquisitions. The Company's revenue levels fluctuate
from  quarter  to quarter  primarily  due to the  impact of  seasonality  in its
staffing  services business and on certain of its PEO clients in the agriculture
and forest  products  related  industries.  As a result,  the  Company  may have
greater  revenues and net income in the third and fourth  quarters of its fiscal
year.  Payroll  taxes and benefits  fluctuate  with the level of direct  payroll
costs but may tend to represent a smaller

                                       13
<PAGE>

percentage of revenues  later in the Company's  fiscal year as federal and state
statutory wage limits for unemployment and social security taxes are exceeded by
employees.  Workers'  compensation  expense  varies with both the  frequency and
severity  of  workplace  injury  claims  reported  during a quarter,  as well as
adverse loss development of prior period claims during the current quarter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

                  The  Company's  cash  position  of  $459,000  at June 30, 1997
decreased by $1,442,000  from December 31, 1996.  The decrease was primarily due
to cash used in financing  activities  to satisfy the  Company's  obligation  to
repurchase  shares of its common  stock,  offset in part by the cash provided by
operating activities.

                  Net cash provided by operating  activities  for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 amounted to  $2,423,000  as compared to  $2,053,000  for the
comparable 1996 period. For the 1997 period,  cash flow generated by net income,
together  with an increase of $2,606,000  in accrued  payroll and benefits,  was
offset  in part by a  $3,083,000  increase  in trade  accounts  receivable.  The
$1,014,000  increase in other  long-term  liabilities  includes  the  $1,000,000
deferred  noncompete  agreement  arising from the  acquisition of HR Only and is
reflected  in  the  supplemental  schedule  of  noncash  activities  within  the
liabilities assumed caption.

                  Net cash used in investing  activities  totaled $3,252,000 for
the six months ended June 30, 1997,  as compared to  $1,455,000  for the similar
1996  period.  For the 1997  period,  the  principal  use of cash for  investing
activities  was the  acquisition  of HR Only and funds used to  purchase  office
equipment and software.  The Company presently has no material long-term capital
commitments.

                  Net cash used in financing activities for the six-month period
ended  June 30,  1997 was  $613,000,  which  compares  to net cash  provided  by
financing  activities of $93,000 for the  comparable  1996 period.  For the 1997
period,  the  principal  use of cash for  financing  activities  arose  from the
Company's  obligation to redeem 159,154 shares of its common stock at a value of
$2,824,984   pursuant  to  a  Plan  and  Agreement  of  Reorganization   between
StaffAmerica,  Inc.  and  the  Company,  offset  in part  by net  proceeds  from
borrowings  on the Company's  revolving  credit line in the amount of $1,896,000
and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants totaling  $757,000.
As of the date of this report,  an  underwriter  continues  to hold  warrants to
purchase  30,000  shares of common stock at $4.20 per share issued in connection
with the Company's 1993 initial public offering of its common stock.

                  The Company's  business strategy  continues to focus on growth
through the acquisition of additional personnel-related  businesses, both in its
existing  markets  and  other  strategic  geographic  areas,  together  with the
expansion  of  operations  at existing  offices.  As  disclosed in Note 3 to the
financial  statements  included herein, the Company  purchased,  during February
1997, a staffing  services  company located in the Los Angeles,  California area
for $2,092,000 in cash, plus an additional

                                       14
<PAGE>

$1,000,000 for a noncompete  agreement which will be paid ratably,  with accrued
interest,  over five years  beginning  after the end of the fifth year following
the  acquisition.  As also  disclosed in Note 3, the Company  purchased in April
1997,  certain assets of a staffing services company located in Tucson,  Arizona
for  $154,000  in cash.  The Company  actively  explores  proposals  for various
acquisition  opportunities  on an ongoing  basis,  but there can be no assurance
that any additional transactions will be consummated.

                  Management  recently renewed the Company's credit  arrangement
with its  principal  bank on terms and  conditions  which  were  generally  more
favorable than the prior agreement.  The amount of the credit facility  remained
unchanged,  which primarily  includes an unsecured $4.0 million revolving credit
facility and $1.6 million for previously  existing  standby letters of credit in
connection with certain workers'  compensation surety  arrangements.  Management
expects the funds anticipated to be generated from operations, together with the
credit facility and other potential sources of financing,  will be sufficient in
the aggregate to fund the Company's  working  capital needs for the  foreseeable
future.

Inflation

                  Inflation  generally has not been a significant  factor in the
Company's  operations  during the periods discussed above. The Company has taken
into account the impact of  escalating  medical and other costs in  establishing
reserves for future expenses for self-insured workers' compensation claims.

Forward-Looking Information
- ---------------------------

                  Statements in this report which are not  historical in nature,
including  discussion of economic  conditions in the Company's market areas, the
potential  for and effect of future  acquisitions,  the effect of changes in the
Company's  mix of  services  on gross  margin,  the  adequacy  of the  Company's
workers' compensation reserves, the tax-qualified status of the Company's 401(k)
savings plan, the outcome of various legal proceedings,  and the availability of
financing and working capital to meet the Company's  funding  requirements,  are
forward-looking   statements  within  the  meaning  of  the  Private  Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other  factors  that may  cause  the  actual
results,  performance or achievements  of the Company or industry  results to be
materially  different  from any  future  results,  performance  or  achievements
expressed  or implied by such  forward-looking  statements.  Such  factors  with
respect to the Company include difficulties associated with integrating acquired
businesses  and clients into the Company's  operations,  economic  trends in the
Company's service areas,  uncertainties regarding government regulation of PEOs,
including the possible adoption by the IRS of an unfavorable  position as to the
tax-qualified  status of  employee  benefit  plans  maintained  by PEOs,  future
workers'  compensation  claims  experience,  and the  availability  of and costs
associated  with  potential  sources of  financing.  The Company  disclaims  any
obligation to update any such factors or to publicly  announce the result of any
revisions to any of the forward-looking

                                       15
<PAGE>

statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.


                           Part II - Other Information

Item 1.           Legal Proceedings

                  A  lawsuit  was  filed in the  Circuit  Court of the  State of
Oregon for the County of  Multnomah  on  February  5, 1997,  by Javier and Ester
Munoz, husband and wife, against Asger M. Nielson, doing business as Nielson and
Son ("Nielson"), Rain-Master Roofing, Inc. ("Rain-Master"), and the Company. Mr.
Munoz was  employed by the Company  under a PEO  arrangement  with  Rain-Master,
which is in the roofing business. On February 1, 1995, Rain-Master was providing
roofing  services  at a  construction  site for which  Nielson  was serving as a
general  contractor.  Mr.  Munoz fell from the roof at the site in the course of
his  employment and is now a paraplegic as a result of the injuries he suffered.
Until the filing of the lawsuit  referred to above,  Mr. Munoz's claim was being
defended as a workers'  compensation  claim. In the lawsuit,  the plaintiffs are
seeking damages in the amount of $10,000,000 pursuant to claims for relief based
on employer liability, intentional injury, product liability, negligence, breach
of implied warranty and loss of consortium.  On July 14, 1997, the court granted
the  Company's  motion to dismiss  the  Company as a party to the  lawsuit.  The
dismissal  is  without  prejudice  such that the  plaintiff  may seek to file an
amended  complaint  alleging  facts  which  would  serve as a basis  for a claim
against the Company.

                  On March 11,  1997,  a Notice of Intent to Revoke  Farm/Forest
Labor Contractor License and to Assess Civil Penalties (the "Notice") was served
on the Company by the Bureau of Labor and Industries of the State of Oregon (the
"Bureau"). The Notice also names Daniel A. Hatfield, an employee of the Company.
The Notice proposes to assess civil  penalties in the amount of $488,000,  based
on the numbers of workers allegedly  affected,  for alleged  noncompliance  with
various  duties  imposed  on farm  labor  contracts  by  Oregon  law,  including
licensing  violations,  failure to comply with wage payment laws, and failure to
maintain and to provide  workers and the Bureau with required  documentation.  A
default judgment entered against the Company was withdrawn by an  administrative
law judge on April 23, 1997. Management intends to vigorously contest the claims
asserted in the Notice;  an  administrative  hearing is presently  scheduled for
September 1997.

                                       16
<PAGE>


Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

                  The Company held its 1997 annual  meeting of  stockholders  on
May 14, 1997. The following directors were elected at the annual meeting:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 ABSTENTIONS AND
                                             FOR              WITHHELD            BROKER NON-VOTES
                                             ---              --------            ----------------

<S>                                       <C>                 <C>    
         Robert R. Ames                   6,170,376           211,710
         Jeffrey L. Beaudoin              6,170,476           211,610
         Stephen A. Gregg                 6,170,376           211,710
         Anthony Meeker                   6,170,476           211,610
         Stanley G. Renecker              6,170,276           211,810
         William W. Sherertz              6,170,276           211,810

</TABLE>

                  The other matters  presented for action at the annual  meeting
were approved by the following vote:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   ABSTENTIONS AND
                                             FOR               AGAINST            BROKER NON-VOTES
                                             ---               -------            ----------------

<S>                                       <C>                  <C>                     <C>      
         Approval of amendment            3,961,585            520,466                 1,900,035
         to the Company's 1993
         Stock Incentive Plan

         Approval of the                  6,366,186             14,400                     1,500
         appointment of Price
         Waterhouse LLP as
         independent accountants
</TABLE>


Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)      The exhibits  filed  herewith are listed in the Exhibit  Index
                  following the signature page of this report.

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K

                  Except as set forth in the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on
                  Form 10-Q,  Item 6 (b), for the  quarterly  period ended March
                  31, 1997, no reports on Form 8-K were filed by the  Registrant
                  during the quarter for which this report is filed.


                                       17
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES



                  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.


                                              BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                                              (Registrant)






Date:  August 12, 1997                        By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland
                                                 --------------------------
                                                  Michael D. Mulholland
                                                  Vice President-Finance
                                                  (Principal Financial Officer)


                                       18
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




EXHIBIT

4.1      Loan agreement  between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. dated
         May 30, 1997.

11       Statement of Calculation of Average
         Common Shares Outstanding

27       Financial Data Schedule



                                       19


                                     [LOGO]

                                  WELLS FARGO
                          Portland Commercial Banking
                          MAC #6101-192
                          1300 Southwest Fifth Avenue
                          P.O. Box 3131
                          Portland, OR  97208-3131



                                 May 30, 1997



Barrett Business Services, Inc.
4724 SW Macadam Avenue
Portland, OR 97201

Gentlemen:

      This  letter is to confirm  that Wells Fargo  Bank,  National  Association
("Bank"),  subject to all terms and conditions  contained herein,  has agreed to
make available to Barrett  Business  Services,  Inc.  ("Borrower") the following
described credit accommodations (each, a "Credit" and collectively, the
"Credits"):

      1. A  revolving  line of credit  under  which Bank will make  advances  to
Borrower from time to time up to and  including  May 31, 1998,  not to exceed at
any time the maximum  principal  amount of Four Million Dollars  ($4,000,000.00)
("Line of Credit"), the proceeds of which shall be used for working capital.

      2.  A  term  loan  in  the  original   principal  amount  of  Six  Hundred
Ninety-three  Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars  ($693,750.00) ("Term Loan"),
on which the outstanding  principal amount as of the date hereof is $585,236.50.
Subject to the terms and  conditions of this letter,  Bank hereby  confirms that
the Term Loan remains in full force and effect.

      3. A standby letter of credit for the account of Borrower ("Standby Letter
of Credit A") in the principal amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

      4. A standby letter of credit for the account of Borrower ("Standby Letter
of Credit B") in the  principal  amount of One Million Five Hundred  Seventy-two
Thousand Dollars ($1,572,000.00).

I.    CREDIT TERMS:

      1.    LINE OF CREDIT:

      (a) Line of Credit Note. Borrower's obligation to repay advances under the
Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a




<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 2



promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto ("Line of
Credit Note"), all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

      (b) Letter of Credit Subfeature. As a subfeature under the Line of Credit,
Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue  standby  letters
of  credit  for the  account  of  Borrower  (each,  a  "Letter  of  Credit"  and
collectively,  "Letters  of  Credit");  provided  however,  that  the  form  and
substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by Bank,  in its
sole discretion;  and provided further, that the aggregate undrawn amount of all
outstanding  Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Four Million Dollars
($4,000,000.00).  Each Letter of Credit shall be issued for a term not to exceed
365 days, as designated by Borrower;  provided however, that no Letter of Credit
shall have an  expiration  date  subsequent  to the maturity date of the Line of
Credit.  The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the
Line of Credit and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder. Each Letter
of Credit shall be subject to the additional  terms and conditions of the Letter
of  Credit  Agreement  and  related  documents,  if  any,  required  by  Bank in
connection with the issuance thereof.  Each draft paid by Bank under a Letter of
Credit  shall be deemed an advance  under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid
by  Borrower  in  accordance  with  the  terms  and  conditions  of this  letter
applicable to such advances;  provided however,  that if advances under the Line
of Credit are not  available,  for any reason,  at the time any draft is paid by
Bank, then Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank the full amount of such draft,
together with interest  thereon from the date such amount is paid by Bank to the
date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable
to advances under the Line of Credit.  In such event Borrower  agrees that Bank,
in its sole  discretion,  may debit any demand  deposit  account  maintained  by
Borrower with Bank for the amount of any such draft.

      (c)  Borrowing  and  Repayment.  Borrower may from time to time during the
term of the Line of Credit  borrow,  partially or wholly  repay its  outstanding
borrowings,  and  reborrow,  subject  to  all  of  the  limitations,  terms  and
conditions  contained  herein or in the Line of Credit Note;  provided  however,
that the total outstanding  borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at any
time exceed the maximum  principal  amount  available  thereunder,  as set forth
above. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Borrower shall maintain a zero balance on
advances under the Line of Credit for a period of at least 30  consecutive  days
during each fiscal year.




<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 3



      2.    TERM LOAN:

      (a) Term Note.  Borrower's  obligation to repay the Term Loan is evidenced
by a  promissory  note  substantially  in the form of Exhibit B attached  hereto
("Term Note"), all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference. Any
reference in the Term Note to any prior loan agreement between Bank and Borrower
shall be deemed a reference to this letter.

      (b) Repayment.  Principal and interest on the Term Loan shall be repaid in
accordance with the provisions of the Term Note.

      (c) Prepayment.  Borrower may prepay  principal on the Term Loan solely in
accordance with the provisions of the Term Note.

      3.    STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT A:

      (a) Standby Letter of Credit A. Standby Letter of Credit A has been issued
by Bank for the  benefit of  Argonaut  Insurance  Company  to  finance  worker's
compensation  obligations.  Standby Letter of Credit A has an expiration date of
August 31, 1997, and is subject to the additional  terms of the  Application and
Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit A required by Bank in connection with the
issuance thereof (the "Letter of Credit A Agreement").  Subject to the terms and
conditions of this letter,  Bank hereby confirms that Standby Letter of Credit A
remains in full force and effect.

      (b) Repayment of Drafts.  Each draft paid by Bank under Standby  Letter of
Credit A shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the provisions of Letter
of Credit A Agreement.

      4.    STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT B:

      (a) Standby Letter of Credit B. Standby Letter of Credit B has been issued
by Bank for the benefit of Self-Insurance  Plans, State of California,  to serve
as a surety deposit pursuant to state worker's compensation regulations. Standby
Letter of Credit B has an expiration  date of April 10, 1998,  and is subject to
the  additional  terms of the  Application  and Agreement for Standby  Letter of
Credit B required by Bank in connection  with the issuance  thereof (the "Letter
of Credit B  Agreement").  Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this letter,
Bank hereby  confirms that Standby  Letter of Credit B remains in full force and
effect.



<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 4



      (b) Repayment of Drafts.  Each draft paid by Bank under Standby  Letter of
Credit B shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the provisions of Letter
of Credit B Agreement.

      5.    COLLATERAL:

      As security for all  indebtedness of Borrower to Bank under the Term Loan,
Borrower  hereby  grants to Bank a lien of not less than first  priority on that
certain real property  located at 4724 SW Macadam Avenue,  Portland,  OR. All of
the  foregoing  shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of such  security
agreements,  financing  statements,  deeds of trust and other  documents as Bank
shall  reasonably  require,  all in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to Bank.
Borrower shall reimburse Bank immediately upon demand for all costs and expenses
incurred by Bank in  connection  with any of the foregoing  security,  including
without  limitation,  filing and recording fees and costs of appraisals,  audits
and title insurance.

II.   INTEREST/FEES:

      1. Interest.  The outstanding principal balances of the Line of Credit and
Term Loan shall bear  interest at the rates of interest set forth in the Line of
Credit Note and Term Note.  The amount of each draft paid by Bank under  Standby
Letter of Credit A and Standby  Letter of Credit B shall bear  interest from the
date  such  draft is paid by Bank to the date  such  amount  is fully  repaid by
Borrower  at a rate per  annum  equal to the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to
time.

      a. Prime Rate. The "Prime Rate" is a base rate that Bank from time to time
establishes and which serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest
are calculated for those loans making reference thereto. Each change in the rate
of interest shall become effective on the date each Prime Rate change is
announced within Bank.

      b.  Computation  and  Payment.  Interest  on the Line of  Credit  shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year,  actual days  elapsed.  Interest on the
Term Loan shall be computed on the basis of a 366-day year, actual days elapsed.
Interest  shall be  payable  at the  times and  places  set forth in the Line of
Credit Note and Term Note.

      2.  Unused  Commitment  Fee.  Borrower  shall  pay to Bank a fee  equal to
one-eights  percent (0.125%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days  elapsed) on the average  


<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 5



daily unused  amount of the Line of Credit,  which fee shall be  calculated on a
quarterly  basis by Bank and shall be due and  payable by Borrower in arrears on
the last day of each March, June, September and December.

      3.  Letter  of  Credit  Fees.  Borrower  shall  pay to Bank  fees upon the
issuance of each Letter of Credit,  Standby Letter of Credit A or Standby Letter
of Credit B, upon the  payment or  negotiation  by Bank of each draft  under any
Letter of Credit,  Standby  Letter of Credit A or Standby Letter of Credit B and
upon the  occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit,
Standby  Letter of Credit A or  Standby  Letter of Credit B  (including  without
limitation,  the transfer,  amendment or  cancellation  of any Letter of Credit,
Standby  Letter  of Credit A or  Standby  Letter  of  Credit  B)  determined  in
accordance  with  Bank's  standard  fees and  charges  then in  effect  for such
activity.

      4.  Collection  of  Payments.  Borrower  authorizes  Bank to  collect  all
principal, interest and fees due under each Credit by charging Borrower's demand
deposit  account  number  4159-583848  with Bank,  or any other  demand  deposit
account  maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full amount  thereof.  Should
there be  insufficient  funds in any such demand deposit account to pay all such
sums when due, the full amount of such  deficiency  shall be immediately due and
payable by Borrower.

III.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES:

      Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which
representations  and  warranties  shall survive the execution of this letter and
shall  continue in full force and effect until the full and final  payment,  and
satisfaction  and discharge,  of all  obligations of Borrower to Bank subject to
this letter.

      1. Legal Status.  Borrower is a  corporation,  duly organized and existing
and in good standing  under the laws of the state of Maryland,  and is qualified
or licensed to do business in all  jurisdictions in which such  qualification or
licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed
could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.

      2. Authorization and Validity.  This letter, the Line of Credit Note, Term
Note,  Standby  Letter of Credit A,  Standby  Letter of Credit B, and each other
document,  contract or  instrument  deemed  necessary  by Bank to  evidence  any
extension of 



<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 6



credit to Borrower pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof, or now or at any
time hereafter  required by or delivered to Bank in connection  with this letter
(collectively,  the "Loan Documents") have been duly authorized,  and upon their
execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions  hereof will constitute
legal,  valid and binding  agreements  and  obligations of Borrower or the party
which executes the same, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

      3. No Violation.  The execution,  delivery and  performance by Borrower of
each  of the  Loan  Documents  do  not  violate  any  provision  of  any  law or
regulation,  or  contravene  any provision of the Articles of  Incorporation  or
By-Laws of Borrower,  or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any
contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party
or by which Borrower may be bound.

      4.  Litigation.  There  are no  pending,  or to  the  best  of  Borrower's
knowledge threatened,  actions, claims, investigations,  suits or proceedings by
or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or administrative agency
which  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition  or
operation of Borrower other than those  disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing
prior to the date hereof.

      5. Correctness of Financial Statement. The financial statement of Borrower
dated March 31,  1997,  a true copy of which has been  delivered  by Borrower to
Bank prior to the date hereof,  (a) is complete and correct and presents  fairly
the financial  condition of Borrower,  (b) discloses all liabilities of Borrower
that are required to be reflected or reserved  against under generally  accepted
accounting principles, whether liquidated or unliquidated,  fixed or contingent,
and (c) has been  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  consistently  applied.  Since the date of such  financial  statement
there has been no material  adverse  change in the  condition  or  operation  of
Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or
otherwise  encumbered any of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or
as otherwise permitted by Bank in writing.

      6.  Income  Tax  Returns.   Borrower  has  no  knowledge  of  any  pending
assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any year.

      7.  No  Subordination.  There  is no  agreement,  indenture,  contract  or
instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which


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Page 7



Borrower may be bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any
of  Borrower's  obligations  subject to this letter to any other  obligation  of
Borrower.

      8. Permits,  Franchises.  Borrower possesses,  and will hereafter possess,
all permits,  consents,  approvals,  franchises  and  licenses  required and all
rights to  trademarks,  trade  names,  patents  and  fictitious  names,  if any,
necessary  to enable it to conduct  the  business  in which it is now engaged in
compliance with applicable law.

      9. ERISA.  Borrower is in  compliance  in all material  respects  with all
applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended or recodified from time to time ("ERISA"); Borrower has not violated any
provision  of any defined  employee  pension  benefit plan (as defined in ERISA)
maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a "Plan");  no Reportable Event,
as defined in ERISA,  has  occurred and is  continuing  with respect to any Plan
initiated by Borrower;  Borrower has met its minimum funding  requirements under
ERISA  with  respect to each  Plan;  and each Plan will be able to  fulfill  its
benefit  obligations as they come due in accordance  with the Plan documents and
under generally accepted accounting
principles.

      10. Other  Obligations.  Borrower is not in default on any  obligation for
borrowed  money,  any purchase  money  obligation or any other  material  lease,
commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.

      11.  Environmental  Matters.  Except as  disclosed  by Borrower to Bank in
writing  prior to the date  hereof,  Borrower is in  compliance  in all material
respects with all applicable  federal or state  environmental,  hazardous waste,
health  and  safety  statutes,  and any rules or  regulations  adopted  pursuant
thereto,  which govern or affect any of Borrower's operations and/or properties,
including  without  limitation,   the  Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,
Compensation   and  Liability  Act  of  1980,   the  Superfund   Amendments  and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be
amended,  modified or supplemented  from time to time. None of the operations of
Borrower is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether
any remedial action  involving a material  expenditure is needed to respond to a
release  of any toxic or  hazardous  waste or  substance  into the  environment.
Borrower has no material contingent  liability in connection with 


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Page 8



any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.

      12. Real Property  Collateral.  Except as disclosed by Borrower to Bank in
writing prior to the date hereof,  with respect to any real property  collateral
required hereby:

      (a) All taxes,  governmental  assessments,  insurance premiums, and water,
sewer and municipal charges,  and rents (if any) which previously became due and
owing in respect thereof have been paid as of the date hereof.

      (b) There are no  construction  or similar liens or claims which have been
filed for work,  labor or material (and no rights are outstanding that under law
could give rise to any such lien) which  affect all or any  interest in any such
real  property  and which are or may be prior to or equal to the lien thereon in
favor of Bank.
      (c)  None  of  the  improvements   which  were  included  for  purpose  of
determining  the  appraised  value of any such real property lies outside of the
boundaries  and/or building  restriction  lines thereof,  and no improvements on
adjoining properties materially encroach upon any such real property.

      (d)  There  is  no  pending,  or  to  the  best  of  Borrower's  knowledge
threatened,  proceeding  for the  total or  partial  condemnation  of all or any
portion of any such real property,  and all such real property is in good repair
and free and clear of any damage that would  materially and adversely affect the
value thereof as security and/or the intended use thereof.

IV. CONDITIONS:

      1.  Conditions of Initial  Extension of Credit.  The obligation of Bank to
grant any of the Credits is subject to fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of all
of the following conditions:

      (a)  Documentation.  Bank shall have received each of the Loan  Documents,
duly executed and in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.

      (b) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse change,
as determined by Bank, in the financial  condition or business of Borrower,  nor
any  material  decline,  as  determined  


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Page 9



by  Bank,  in  the  market  value  of any  collateral  required  hereunder  or a
substantial or material portion of the assets of Borrower.

      (c) Insurance. Borrower shall have delivered to Bank evidence of insurance
coverage on all Borrower's property, in form, substance, amounts, covering risks
and issued by companies  satisfactory  to Bank, and where required by Bank, with
loss  payable  endorsements  in  favor of Bank,  including  without  limitation,
policies of fire and extended  coverage  insurance  covering  all real  property
collateral  required  hereby,  with  replacement cost and mortgagee loss payable
endorsements,  and such policies of insurance against specific hazards affecting
any such real property as may be required by governmental regulation or Bank.

      (d) Appraisals. Bank shall have obtained, at Borrower's cost, an appraisal
of all real property collateral  required hereby, and all improvements  thereon,
issued by an appraiser  acceptable to Bank and in form, substance and reflecting
values satisfactory to Bank, in its discretion.

      (e) Title  Insurance.  Bank shall have  received  an ALTA  Policy of Title
Insurance,  with such endorsements as Bank may require,  issued by a company and
in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to Bank,  in such  amount  as Bank  shall
require, insuring Bank's lien on the real property collateral required hereby to
be of first  priority,  subject only to such exceptions as Bank shall approve in
its discretion, with all costs thereof to be paid by Borrower.

      2. Conditions of Each Extension of Credit.  The obligation of Bank to make
each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the
fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

      (a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and in
each of the  other  Loan  Documents  shall  be true on and as of the date of the
signing  of this  letter  and on the date of each  extension  of  credit by Bank
pursuant  hereto,  with the same  effect  as  though  such  representations  and
warranties  had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date, no
default  hereunder,  and no  condition,  event or act which  with the  giving of
notice or the  passage of time or both would  constitute  such a default,  shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.


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May 30, 1997
Page 10



      (b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents which
may be required in connection with such extension of credit.

      (c) Additional  Letter of Credit  Documentation.  Prior to the issuance of
each Letter of Credit, Standby Letter of Credit A or Standby Letter of Credit B,
Bank shall  have  received  a Letter of Credit  Agreement,  a Letter of Credit A
Agreement  or a  Letter  of  Credit B  Agreement,  properly  completed  and duly
executed by Borrower.

V.    COVENANTS:

      Borrower covenants that so long Bank remains committed to extend credit to
Borrower  pursuant  hereto,  or any  liabilities  (whether direct or contingent,
liquidated or  unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents
remain  outstanding,  and until payment in full of all  obligations  of Borrower
subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in writing:

      1. Punctual Payment. Punctually pay all principal, interest, fees or other
liabilities  due under any of the Loan  Documents  at the times and place and in
the manner specified therein, and immediately upon demand by Bank.

      2. Accounting  Records.  Maintain adequate books and records in accordance
with generally accepted accounting  principles  consistently applied, and permit
any  representative  of Bank,  at any  reasonable  time,  to inspect,  audit and
examine  such books and  records,  to make  copies of the same and  inspect  the
properties of Borrower.

      3. Financial Statements. Provide to Bank all of the following, in form and
detail satisfactory to Bank:

      (a) not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, an
audited  financial  statement  of  Borrower,  prepared  by  a  certified  public
accountant  acceptable  to Bank, to include  balance  sheet,  income  statement,
statement of cash flow,  statement of retained earnings and a copy of Borrower's
Form 10-K report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

      (b) not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter,
a copy of  Borrower's  Form 10-Q report filed with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission;


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Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 11



      (c) from  time to time  such  other  information  as Bank  may  reasonably
request,   including  without  limitation,   copies  of  rent  rolls  and  other
information with respect to any real property collateral required hereby.

      4. Compliance.  Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits,  governmental
approvals,  rights,  privileges and franchises  necessary for the conduct of its
business;  and comply with the  provisions  of all  documents  pursuant to which
Borrower is organized  and/or which govern  Borrower's  continued  existence and
with  the  requirements  of  all  laws,  rules,  regulations  and  orders  of  a
governmental agency applicable to Borrower and/or its business.

      5.  Insurance.  Maintain  and keep in force  insurance of the types and in
amounts  customarily  carried in lines of business  similar to that of Borrower,
including but not limited to fire, extended coverage,  public liability,  flood,
property damage and workers' compensation,  with all such insurance carried with
companies and in amounts  satisfactory to Bank, and deliver to Bank from time to
time at Bank's request schedules setting forth all insurance then in effect.

      6.  Facilities.  Keep all  properties  useful or necessary  to  Borrower's
business  in good  repair and  condition,  and from time to time make  necessary
repairs,  renewals and  replacements  thereto so that such  properties  shall be
fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.

      7. Taxes and Other  Liabilities.  Pay and  discharge  when due any and all
indebtedness,  obligations,  assessments  and  taxes,  both  real  or  personal,
including without  limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local
property  taxes and  assessments,  except (a) such as Borrower may in good faith
contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower
has made provision, to Bank's satisfaction,  for eventual payment thereof in the
event Borrower is obligated to make such payment.

      8.  Merger,   Consolidation,   Transfer  of  Assets.  Not  merge  into  or
consolidate with any other entity; nor make any substantial change in the nature
of  Borrower's  business as conducted as of the date hereof;  nor acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any other entity in any transaction involving
$10,000,000.00  or more  without  the  prior  written  approval  of Bank,  which
approval  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld;  nor sell,  lease,  transfer  or
otherwise  dispose of all


<PAGE>
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May 30, 1997
Page 12



or a substantial or material portion of Borrower's assets except in the ordinary
course of its business.

      9.  Guaranties.  Not  guarantee  or become  liable  in any way as  surety,
endorser  (other  than as  endorser  of  negotiable  instruments  for deposit or
collection  in the  ordinary  course of  business),  accommodation  endorser  or
otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower as security for,
any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity,  except any of the
foregoing in favor of Bank.

      10.  Loans,  Advances,  Investments.  Not make any loans or advances to or
investments in any person or entity, except any of the foregoing existing as of,
and  disclosed  to Bank prior to, the date  hereof,  or any loans or advances or
investments made in the normal course,  such as short term advances to employees
or investments of excess cash.

      11.  Pledge of Accounts.  Borrower  shall give Bank at least  fifteen (15)
days prior notice of any intent by Borrower to pledge,  grant or permit to exist
a security interest in, or lien upon, any of its accounts,  general  intangibles
that  constitute  payment rights,  and other rights to payment,  (the foregoing,
together   with  the  proceeds   thereof   being,   collectively,   "Receivables
Collateral") in favor of any party other than Bank (an "Other Lender"). Borrower
agrees that in such event,  Borrower shall grant to Bank a security interest and
lien in the  Receivables  Collateral to secure all of Borrower's  obligations to
Bank under the Line of Credit,  and Bank and any such Other Lender's  rights and
interests in and to the Receivables Collateral shall be of equal priority,  with
each of Bank and such  Other  Lender to share the  Receivables  Collateral  on a
pro-rata basis, based on the maximum principal amount of,  respectively the loan
from the Other  Lender and the maximum  principal  amount of the Line of Credit.
Further,  in such  event,  borrower  agrees to  execute,  and any such pledge of
receivables collateral to an Other Lender would be made subject to the execution
by such other lender of, appropriate documents to effectuate the foregoing.

      12.  Financial  Condition.  Maintain  Borrower's  financial  condition  as
follows using generally accepted accounting principles  consistently applied and
used  consistently  with prior  practices  (except to the extent modified by the
definitions herein:

      Total Liabilities divided by Net Worth not at any time greater than 1.5 to
1.0, with "Total  Liabilities"  defined as the


<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 13



aggregate of current  liabilities  and  non-current  liabilities , and with "Net
Worth" defined as the aggregate of assets minus liabilities.


VI.   DEFAULT, REMEDIES:

      1. Default,  Remedies.  Upon the violation of any term or condition of any
of the Loan Documents, or upon the occurrence of any default or defined event of
default under any of the Loan Documents:  (a) all indebtedness of Borrower under
each of the Loan  Documents,  any term thereof to the contrary  notwithstanding,
shall at Bank's  option and without  notice become  immediately  due and payable
without  presentment,  demand,  protest or notice of dishonor,  all of which are
expressly waived by Borrower; (b) the obligation,  if any, of Bank to extend any
further  credit  under any of the Loan  Documents  shall  immediately  cease and
terminate;  and (c) Bank shall have all rights,  powers and  remedies  available
under  each  of the  Loan  Documents,  or  accorded  by law,  including  without
limitation the right to resort to any or all security for any of the Credits and
to exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary  or secured party pursuant
to applicable  law. All rights,  powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at
any time by Bank and from time to time after the  occurrence  of any such breach
or default,  are cumulative  and not exclusive,  and shall be in addition to any
other rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.

      2. No Waiver.  No delay,  failure or  discontinuance of Bank in exercising
any  right,  power or remedy  under any of the Loan  Documents  shall  affect or
operate  as a waiver of such  right,  power or  remedy;  nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or otherwise
affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or remedy. Any waiver,  permit, consent or approval of any kind by Bank of
any breach of or default under any of the Loan  Documents must be in writing and
shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.

VII. MISCELLANEOUS:

      1. Notices. All notices,  requests and demands which any party is required
or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this letter must
be in writing  delivered to each party at its address first set forth above,  or
to such other address as any party may designate by written  notice to all other
parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed


<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 14



given or made as follows:  (a) if sent by hand delivery,  upon delivery;  (b) if
sent by mail,  upon the  earlier  of the date of receipt or three (3) days after
deposit in the U.S. mail,  first class and postage  prepaid;  and (c) if sent by
telecopy, upon receipt.

      2.  Costs,  Expenses  and  Attorneys'  Fees.  Borrower  shall  pay to Bank
immediately  upon demand the full  amount of all  payments,  advances,  charges,
costs and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees (to include outside
counsel fees and all allocated  costs of Bank's in-house  counsel),  expended or
incurred by Bank in connection  with (a) the negotiation and preparation of this
letter and the other Loan Documents,  Bank's continued administration hereof and
thereof,  and the preparation of amendments and waivers hereto and thereto,  (b)
the  enforcement  of Bank's  rights  and/or the  collection of any amounts which
become due to Bank under any of the Loan  Documents,  and (c) the prosecution or
defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including
without limitation,  any action for declaratory relief,  whether incurred at the
trial or  appellate  level,  in an  arbitration  proceeding  or  otherwise,  and
including  any of the  foregoing  incurred  in  connection  with any  bankruptcy
proceeding (including without limitation,  any adversary  proceeding,  contested
matter or motion  brought by Bank or any other person)  relating to any Borrower
or any other person or entity.

      3. Successors,  Assignment. This letter shall be binding upon and inure to
the  benefit of the heirs,  executors,  administrators,  legal  representatives,
successors and assigns of the parties;  provided however,  that Borrower may not
assign or transfer its interest  hereunder without Bank's prior written consent.
Bank  reserves  the  right  to  sell,  assign,  transfer,   negotiate  or  grant
participations  in all or any part of, or any  interest  in,  Bank's  rights and
benefits  under each of the Loan  Documents.  In connection  therewith  Bank may
disclose all  documents  and  information  which Bank now has or  hereafter  may
acquire  relating  to any of  the  Credits,  Borrower  or its  business,  or any
collateral required hereunder.

      4. Entire Agreement;  Amendment.  This letter and the other Loan Documents
constitute the entire  agreement  between  Borrower and Bank with respect to the
Credits and supersede all prior  negotiations,  communications,  discussions and
correspondence  concerning the subject matter hereof. This letter may be amended
or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto.


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May 30, 1997
Page 15



      5. No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This letter is made and entered into for
the sole  protection  and  benefit of the  parties  hereto and their  respective
permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall be a third
party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in
connection  with,  this letter or any other of the Loan Documents to which it is
not a party.

      6.  Severability  of Provisions.  If any provision of this letter shall be
prohibited  by  or  invalid  under  applicable  law,  such  provision  shall  be
ineffective  only  to the  extent  of such  prohibition  or  invalidity  without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this
letter.

      7.  Governing  Law.  This letter  shall be governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon.

      8.  Arbitration.

      (a)  Arbitration.  Upon the  demand of any  party,  any  Dispute  shall be
resolved by binding arbitration (except as set forth in (e) below) in accordance
with the terms of this letter. A "Dispute" shall mean any action, dispute, claim
or  controversy  of any kind,  whether in contract or tort,  statutory or common
law,  legal  or  equitable,  now  existing  or  hereafter  arising  under  or in
connection with, or in any way pertaining to, any of the Loan Documents,  or any
past, present or future extensions of credit and other activities,  transactions
or  obligations  of any kind related  directly or  indirectly to any of the Loan
Documents,  including  without  limitation,  any of  the  foregoing  arising  in
connection  with the  exercise of any  self-help,  ancillary  or other  remedies
pursuant  to any of the Loan  Documents.  Any party may by  summary  proceedings
bring an action in court to compel arbitration of a Dispute. Any party who fails
or refuses to submit to arbitration following a lawful demand by any other party
shall bear all costs and  expenses  incurred by such other  party in  compelling
arbitration of any Dispute.

      (b) Governing Rules.  Arbitration proceedings shall be administered by the
American  Arbitration  Association  ("AAA") or such other  administrator  as the
parties  shall  mutually  agree  upon in  accordance  with  the  AAA  Commercial
Arbitration  Rules. All Disputes  submitted to arbitration  shall be resolved in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code),
notwithstanding  any  conflicting  choice  of law  provision  in any of the Loan
Documents.  The arbitration  shall be conducted at a location in Oregon selected
by the AAA or other administrator.


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May 30, 1997
Page 16



If there is any  inconsistency  between the terms hereof and any such rules, the
terms and procedures set forth herein shall control.  All statutes of limitation
applicable  to any  Dispute  shall  apply  to any  arbitration  proceeding.  All
discovery  activities shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to
the Dispute being arbitrated. Judgment upon any award rendered in an arbitration
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction;  provided however, that nothing
contained  herein  shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of
the protections  afforded to it under 12 U.S.C.  ss.91 or any similar applicable
state law.

      (c)  No  Waiver;  Provisional  Remedies,  Self-Help  and  Foreclosure.  No
provision  hereof  shall  limit  the right of any  party to  exercise  self-help
remedies  such as setoff,  foreclosure  against or sale of any real or  personal
property collateral or security, or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies,
including  without  limitation  injunctive  relief,  sequestration,  attachment,
garnishment  or the  appointment  of a  receiver,  from  a  court  of  competent
jurisdiction  before,  after or during the pendency of any  arbitration or other
proceeding.  The  exercise of any such  remedy  shall not waive the right of any
party to compel arbitration hereunder.

      (d) Arbitrator  Qualifications  and Powers;  Awards.  Arbitrators  must be
active members of the Oregon State Bar or retired judges of the state or federal
judiciary of Oregon,  with  expertise in the  substantive  law applicable to the
subject matter of the Dispute.  Arbitrators are empowered to resolve Disputes by
summary  rulings in  response to motions  filed  prior to the final  arbitration
hearing.  Arbitrators  (i) shall  resolve all  Disputes in  accordance  with the
substantive law of the state of Oregon, (ii) may grant any remedy or relief that
a court of the state of Oregon  could order or grant within the scope hereof and
such  ancillary  relief as is necessary to make  effective any award,  and (iii)
shall  have the  power to award  recovery  of all  costs  and  fees,  to  impose
sanctions  and to take such  other  actions as they deem  necessary  to the same
extent a judge  could  pursuant  to the Federal  Rules of Civil  Procedure,  the
Oregon Rules of Civil  Procedure or other  applicable  law. Any Dispute in which
the amount in  controversy  is  $5,000,000  or less shall be decided by a single
arbitrator who shall not render an award of greater than  $5,000,000  (including
damages, costs, fees and expenses).  By submission to a single arbitrator,  each
party expressly waives any right or claim to recover more than  $5,000,000.  Any
Dispute in which the amount in controversy  exceeds  $5,000,000 shall be decided
by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators;


<PAGE>
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
May 30, 1997
Page 17



provided however,  that all three  arbitrators must actively  participate in all
hearings and deliberations.

      (e) Judicial Review.  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, in
any  arbitration in which the amount in  controversy  exceeds  $25,000,000,  the
arbitrators  shall be required to make  specific,  written  findings of fact and
conclusions of law. In such  arbitrations (i) the arbitrators shall not have the
power to make any award which is not supported by substantial  evidence or which
is based on legal  error,  (ii) an award  shall not be binding  upon the parties
unless the  findings  of fact are  supported  by  substantial  evidence  and the
conclusions of law are not erroneous  under the  substantive law of the state of
Oregon,  and (iii) the parties shall have in addition to the grounds referred to
in the Federal  Arbitration  Act for vacating,  modifying or correcting an award
the right to judicial review of (A) whether the findings of fact rendered by the
arbitrators  are  supported  by  substantial  evidence,   and  (B)  whether  the
conclusions  of law are  erroneous  under  the  substantive  law of the state of
Oregon. Judgment confirming an award in such a proceeding may be entered only if
a court determines the award is supported by substantial  evidence and not based
on legal error under the substantive law of the state of Oregon.

      (f)  Miscellaneous.  To the  maximum  extent  practicable,  the  AAA,  the
arbitrators  and the parties  shall take all action  required  to  conclude  any
arbitration  proceeding  within 180 days of the filing of the  Dispute  with the
AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration  proceeding may disclose the
existence,  content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by
a party  required in the ordinary  course of its business,  by applicable law or
regulation,  or to the extent  necessary to exercise any judicial  review rights
set forth herein.  If more than one agreement for  arbitration by or between the
parties  potentially  applies  to a  Dispute,  the  arbitration  provision  most
directly  related to the Loan  Documents  or the  subject  matter of the Dispute
shall control. This arbitration  provision shall survive termination,  amendment
or  expiration  of any of the Loan  Documents  or any  relationship  between the
parties.

UNDER OREGON LAW, MOST  AGREEMENTS,  PROMISES AND COMMITMENTS MADE BY BANK AFTER
OCTOBER 3, 1989 CONCERNING  LOANS AND OTHER CREDIT  EXTENSIONS WHICH ARE NOT FOR
PERSONAL,  FAMILY OR  HOUSEHOLD  PURPOSES  OR SECURED  SOLELY BY THE  BORROWER'S
RESIDENCE MUST BE IN WRITING,  EXPRESS CONSIDERATION AND BE SIGNED BY BANK TO BE
ENFORCEABLE.


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May 30, 1997
Page 18



Your acknowledgment of this letter shall constitute  acceptance of the foregoing
terms and  conditions.  Bank's  commitment  to  extend  any  credit to  Borrower
pursuant to the terms of this letter shall  terminate  on July 15, 1997,  unless
this letter is  acknowledged  by Borrower and returned to Bank on or before that
date.

                                       Sincerely,

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK,
                                         NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By:  /s/ Marlene Roberts
                                            Marlene Roberts
                                            Vice President





Acknowledged and accepted as of 7-7-97:


Barrett Business Services, Inc.


By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland

Title:  Vice President-Finance




                                   - 20 -

<PAGE>

                         REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE


$4,000,000.00                                                   Portland, Oregon
                                                                    May 30, 1997

      FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,  the  undersigned  BARRETT  BUSINESS  SYSTEMS,  INC.
("Borrower")  promises  to  pay to the  order  of  WELLS  FARGO  BANK,  NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION  ("Bank") at its office at 1300 S. W. Fifth Avenue,  T-19, Portland,
Oregon,  or at such other place as the holder  hereof may  designate,  in lawful
money of the United States of America and in immediately  available  funds,  the
principal sum of Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00), or so much thereof as may
be advanced and be outstanding,  with interest  thereon,  to be computed on each
advance from the date of its disbursement as set forth herein.

DEFINITIONS:

      As used  herein,  the  following  terms shall have the  meanings set forth
after each,  and any other term  defined in this Note shall have the meaning set
forth at the place defined:

      (a)  "Business  Day" means any day except a Saturday,  Sunday or any other
day on which  commercial  banks in Oregon are  authorized  or required by law to
close.

      (b) "Federal  Funds Rate" means,  for any period,  a fluctuating  interest
rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted  average of
the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions  with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next  preceding  Business Day) by the
Federal  Reserve Bank of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations of such rates on such
day received by Bank from three Federal  funds  brokers of  recognized  standing
selected by it.

      (c) "Fixed  Rate Term"  means a period  commencing  on a Business  Day and
continuing for one (1), two (2), or three (3) months, as designated by Borrower,
during which all or a portion of the outstanding  principal balance of this Note
bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR;  provided however, that no Fixed
Rate Term may be selected for a principal amount less than Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars  ($500,000.00);  and  provided  further,  that no Fixed  Rate Term shall
extend beyond the scheduled  maturity date hereof.  If any Fixed Rate Term would
end on a day which is not a  Business  Day,  then such  Fixed Rate Term shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day.



<PAGE>



      (d) "LIBOR" means the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) and determined pursuant to the following formula:

      LIBOR =                      Base LIBOR
                         -------------------------------
                         100% - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

      (i)  "Base  LIBOR"  means  the rate per annum  for  United  States  dollar
deposits  quoted  by  Bank as the  Inter-Bank  Market  Offered  Rate,  with  the
understanding  that such rate is quoted by Bank for the  purpose of  calculating
effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first day
of a Fixed  Rate  Term for  delivery  of funds on said date for a period of time
approximately  equal to the  number  of days in such  Fixed  Rate Term and in an
amount approximately equal to the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term
applies. Borrower understands and agrees that Bank may base its quotation of the
Inter-Bank  Market  Offered Rate upon such offers or other market  indicators of
the Inter-Bank Market as Bank in its discretion deems appropriate including, but
not  limited  to,  the rate  offered  for U.S.  dollar  deposits  on the  London
Inter-Bank Market.

      (ii) "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means the reserve percentage prescribed by
the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System (or any  successor)  for
"Eurocurrency  Liabilities"  (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal  Reserve
Board,  as  amended),  adjusted  by Bank for  expected  changes in such  reserve
percentage during the applicable Fixed Rate Term.

      (e) "Prime  Rate"  means at any time the rate of  interest  most  recently
announced  within  Bank at its  principal  office  as its Prime  Rate,  with the
understanding  that the Prime Rate is one of Bank's base rates and serves as the
basis upon which  effective  rates of interest  are  calculated  for those loans
making reference  thereto,  and is evidenced by the recording  thereof after its
announcement in such internal publication or publications as Bank may designate.

INTEREST:

      (a) Interest.  The outstanding  principal  balance of this Note shall bear
interest  (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,  actual days elapsed) either
(i) at a fluctuating  rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect from time
to time, (ii) at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to one and three-quarters of
one percent (1.75%) above the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time, or
(iii) at a fixed  rate per annum  determined  by Bank to be one and  one-quarter
percent  (1.25%) above LIBOR in effect on the first day of the applicable  Fixed
Rate Term.  When interest is determined in relation to the Prime Rate or Federal
Funds Rate, each change in the rate of interest hereunder shall become effective
on the date each Prime Rate or Federal  Funds Rate  change is  announced  within
Bank. With respect to each LIBOR



                                      -2-
<PAGE>


selection  hereunder,  Bank is hereby  authorized  to note the  date,  principal
amount,  interest rate and Fixed Rate Term  applicable  thereto and any payments
made  thereon on Bank's  books and records  (either  manually  or by  electronic
entry) and/or on any schedule  attached to this Note,  which  notations shall be
prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information noted.

      (b) Selection of Interest  Rate  Options.  At any time any portion of this
Note bears  interest  determined  in relation to LIBOR,  it may be  continued by
Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term  applicable  thereto so that all or a
portion thereof bears interest  determined in relation to the Prime Rate, to the
Federal  Funds  Rate,  or to LIBOR  for a new  Fixed  Rate  Term  designated  by
Borrower.  At any time any  portion of this Note bears  interest  determined  in
relation to the Prime Rate or to the Federal  Funds Rate,  Borrower  may convert
all or a portion  thereof so that it bears  interest  determined  in relation to
LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term  designated  by  Borrower.  At such time as Borrower
requests an advance  hereunder  or wishes to select a LIBOR  option for all or a
portion of the  outstanding  principal  balance  hereof,  and at the end of each
Fixed Rate Term,  Borrower shall give Bank notice  specifying:  (i) the interest
rate option selected by Borrower; (ii) the principal amount subject thereto; and
(iii) for each LIBOR  selection,  the length of the applicable  Fixed Rate Term.
Any such notice may be given by telephone so long as, with respect to each LIBOR
selection,  (A) Bank receives written  confirmation from Borrower not later than
three (3)  Business  Days after  such  telephone  notice is given,  and (B) such
notice is given to Bank prior to 10:00 a.m.,  California  time, on the first day
of the Fixed Rate Term.  For each LIBOR option  requested  hereunder,  Bank will
quote the  applicable  fixed  rate to  Borrower  at  approximately  10:00  a.m.,
California  time,  on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term. If Borrower does not
immediately  accept  the rate  quoted  by Bank,  any  subsequent  acceptance  by
Borrower shall be subject to a  redetermination  by Bank of the applicable fixed
rate; provided however,  that if Borrower fails to accept any such rate by 11:00
a.m.,  California  time, on the Business Day such  quotation is given,  then the
quoted  rate shall  expire and Bank shall have no  obligation  to permit a LIBOR
option to be selected on such day.  If no  specific  designation  of interest is
made at the time any advance is  requested  hereunder or at the end of any Fixed
Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a Prime Rate interest selection
for such advance or the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applied.

      (c)   Additional LIBOR Provisions.

      (i) If Bank at any time shall  determine that for any reason  adequate and
reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining  LIBOR,  then Bank shall promptly
give notice  thereof to Borrower.  If such notice is given and until such notice
has been  withdrawn  by Bank,  then (A) no new LIBOR  option may be  selected by
Borrower, and (B) any portion of the outstanding principal




                                      -3-
<PAGE>



balance hereof which bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR,  subsequent
to the end of the Fixed  Rate  Term  applicable  thereto,  shall  bear  interest
determined in relation to the Prime Rate.

      (ii) If any law, treaty,  rule,  regulation or determination of a court or
governmental  authority  or  any  change  therein  or in the  interpretation  or
application  thereof  (each,  a "Change in Law") shall make it unlawful for Bank
(A) to make LIBOR options available hereunder, or (B) to maintain interest rates
based  on  LIBOR,  then in the  former  event,  any  obligation  of Bank to make
available such unlawful LIBOR options shall immediately be cancelled, and in the
latter event,  any such unlawful  LIBOR-based  interest  rates then  outstanding
shall be  converted,  at Bank's  option,  so that interest on the portion of the
outstanding  principal  balance subject thereto is determined in relation to the
Prime Rate;  provided  however,  that if any such Change in Law shall permit any
LIBOR-based interest rates to remain in effect until the expiration of the Fixed
Rate Term applicable  thereto,  then such permitted  LIBOR-based  interest rates
shall continue in effect until the expiration of such Fixed Rate Term.  Upon the
occurrence  of  any  of  the  foregoing  events,  Borrower  shall  pay  to  Bank
immediately  upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Bank for
any fines, fees,  charges,  penalties or other costs incurred or payable by Bank
as a result  thereof  and  which are  attributable  to any  LIBOR  options  made
available to Borrower  hereunder,  and any  reasonable  allocation  made by Bank
among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

      (iii) If any  Change  in Law or  compliance  by Bank with any  request  or
directive  (whether  or not  having the force of law) from any  central  bank or
other governmental authority shall:

      (A)   subject  Bank to any tax,  duty or other  charge with respect to any
            LIBOR  options,  or change the basis of taxation of payments to Bank
            of principal,  interest,  fees or any other amount payable hereunder
            (except  for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of
            Bank); or

      (B)   impose,  modify or hold  applicable  any reserve,  special  deposit,
            compulsory  loan or  similar  requirement  against  assets  held by,
            deposits or other  liabilities in or for the account of, advances or
            loans by, or any other  acquisition  of funds by any office of Bank;
            or

      (C)   impose on Bank any other condition;

and the  result  of any of the  foregoing  is to  increase  the  cost to Bank of
making, renewing or maintaining any LIBOR options hereunder and/or to reduce any
amount  receivable  by Bank in  connection  therewith,  then in any  such  case,
Borrower  shall pay to Bank  immediately  upon  demand  such  amounts  as may be
necessary 




                                      -4-
<PAGE>



to compensate Bank for any additional  costs incurred by Bank and/or  reductions
in amounts  received by Bank which are  attributable  to such LIBOR options.  In
determining  which costs incurred by Bank and/or  reductions in amounts received
by Bank are  attributable  to any  LIBOR  options  made  available  to  Borrower
hereunder,  any reasonable allocation made by Bank among its operations shall be
conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

      (d) Payment of Interest. Interest accrued on this Note shall be payable on
the first day of each month, commencing July 1, 1997.

      (e) Default  Interest.  From and after the maturity  date of this Note, or
such earlier date as all principal  owing  hereunder  becomes due and payable by
acceleration or otherwise,  the outstanding principal balance of this Note shall
bear interest until paid in full at an increased rate per annum (computed on the
basis of a 360-day year,  actual days elapsed)  equal to four percent (4%) above
the rate of interest from time to time applicable to this Note.

BORROWING AND REPAYMENT:

      (a)  Borrowing  and  Repayment.  Borrower may from time to time during the
term of this Note borrow,  partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings,
and reborrow,  subject to all of the  limitations,  terms and conditions of this
Note and of any document  executed in  connection  with or governing  this Note;
provided however,  that the total  outstanding  borrowings under this Note shall
not at any time exceed the principal  amount stated above.  The unpaid principal
balance  of this  obligation  at any time  shall be the total  amounts  advanced
hereunder by the holder hereof less the amount of principal payments made hereon
by or for any Borrower,  which balance may be endorsed  hereon from time to time
by the holder.  The outstanding  principal balance of this Note shall be due and
payable in full on May 31, 1998.

      (b) Advances. Advances hereunder, to the total amount of the principal sum
stated  above,  may be made by the holder at the oral or written  request of (i)
William W. Sherertz, Jr. or Michael D. Mulholland, any one acting alone, who are
authorized to request  advances and direct the disposition of any advances until
written  notice of the revocation of such authority is received by the holder at
the office  designated  above,  or (ii) any  person,  with  respect to  advances
deposited  to the credit of any account of any Borrower  with the holder,  which
advances, when so deposited, shall be conclusively presumed to have been made to
or for the benefit of each  Borrower  regardless  of the fact that persons other
than those  authorized  to request  advances may have  authority to draw against
such  account.  The holder shall have no  obligation  to  determine  whether any
person requesting an advance is or has been authorized by any Borrower.




                                      -5-
<PAGE>



      (c)  Application  of  Payments.  Each  payment  made on this Note shall be
credited  first,  to any  interest  then  due  and  second,  to the  outstanding
principal  balance hereof.  All payments  credited to principal shall be applied
first,  to the outstanding  principal  balance of this Note which bears interest
determined in relation to the Prime Rate and/or  Federal Funds Rate, if any, and
second,  to the outstanding  principal balance of this Note which bears interest
determined in relation to LIBOR,  with such payments applied to the oldest Fixed
Rate Term first.

PREPAYMENT:

      (a) Prime  Rate/Federal  Funds Rate.  Borrower may prepay principal on any
portion of this Note which bears  interest  determined  in relation to the Prime
Rate or Federal Funds Rate at any time, in any amount and without penalty.

      (b) LIBOR. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which
bears  interest  determined  in relation to LIBOR at any time and in the minimum
amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00); provided however, that if
the outstanding principal balance of such portion of this Note is less than said
amount, the minimum prepayment amount shall be the entire outstanding  principal
balance thereof.  In  consideration of Bank providing this prepayment  option to
Borrower,  or if any such  portion of this Note shall  become due and payable at
any time  prior to the last day of the Fixed  Rate Term  applicable  thereto  by
acceleration or otherwise,  Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand a
fee which is the sum of the discounted  monthly  differences for each month from
the month of prepayment through the month in which such Fixed Rate Term matures,
calculated as follows for each such month:

      (i)   Determine the amount of interest which would have accrued each month
            on the amount prepaid at the interest rate applicable to such amount
            had it  remained  outstanding  until the last day of the Fixed  Rate
            Term applicable thereto.

    (ii)    Subtract  from the  amount  determined  in (i) above  the  amount of
            interest  which would have  accrued for the same month on the amount
            prepaid for the  remaining  term of such Fixed Rate Term at LIBOR in
            effect on the date of  prepayment  for new loans  made for such term
            and in a principal amount equal to the amount prepaid.

   (iii)    If the result  obtained in (ii) for any month is greater  than zero,
            discount that difference by LIBOR used in (ii) above.

Each  Borrower  acknowledges  that  prepayment of such amount may result in Bank
incurring  additional  costs,  expenses  and/or  liabilities,  and  that  it  is
difficult  to  ascertain  the  full  



                                      -6-
<PAGE>



extent of such costs,  expenses and/or  liabilities.  Each Borrower,  therefore,
agrees to pay the  above-described  prepayment  fee and agrees  that said amount
represents  a  reasonable  estimate of the  prepayment  costs,  expenses  and/or
liabilities  of Bank. If Borrower  fails to pay any prepayment fee when due, the
amount of such  prepayment  fee shall  thereafter  bear interest until paid at a
rate per annum two percent (2%) above the Prime Rate in effect from time to time
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year,  actual days elapsed).  Each change in
the rate of interest on any such past due prepayment fee shall become  effective
on the date each Prime Rate change is announced within Bank.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT:

      The  occurrence  of any of the  following  shall  constitute  an "Event of
Default" under this Note:

      (a) The failure to pay any principal, interest, fees or other charges when
due  hereunder  or under  any  contract,  instrument  or  document  executed  in
connection with this Note.

      (b) The filing of a petition by or against any Borrower,  any guarantor of
this Note or any general  partner or joint  venturer in any Borrower  which is a
partnership or a joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or
joint  venturer  referred  to  herein  as a "Third  Party  Obligor")  under  any
provisions of the Bankruptcy  Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended  or  recodified  from time to time,  or under any  similar  or other law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization or other relief for debtors;
the  appointment of a receiver,  trustee,  custodian or liquidator of or for any
part of the assets or property  of any  Borrower  or Third  Party  Obligor;  any
Borrower or Third Party Obligor becomes  insolvent,  makes a general  assignment
for the benefit of creditors or is generally not paying its debts as they become
due; or any  attachment  or like levy on any  property of any  Borrower or Third
Party Obligor.

      (c) The death or  incapacity  of any  individual  Borrower  or Third Party
Obligor,  or the  dissolution  or  liquidation  of any  Borrower  or Third Party
Obligor  which is a  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture or other type of
entity.

      (d) Any default in the payment or  performance of any  obligation,  or any
defined event of default,  under any  provisions of any contract,  instrument or
document  pursuant to which any Borrower or Third Party Obligor has incurred any
obligation for borrowed money, any purchase  obligation,  or any other liability
of any kind to any person or entity,  including the holder;  provided,  however,
that any cure period applicable to such default has expired, and with respect to
a default  under any  obligation  to any person or entity  other than Bank,  the
amount of the debt or other liability in default exceeds $5,000,000.00.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      (e) Any  financial  statement  provided  by any  Borrower  or Third  Party
Obligor to Bank proves to be  incorrect,  false or  misleading  in any  material
respect.

      (f) Any sale or transfer of all or a  substantial  or material part of the
assets of any Borrower or Third Party Obligor other than in the ordinary  course
of its business.

      (g) Any  violation or breach of any  provision of, or any defined event of
default  under,  any  addendum  to this  Note or any loan  agreement,  guaranty,
security  agreement,  deed of trust,  mortgage  or other  document  executed  in
connection  with or securing this Note,  which,  if such  violation or breach is
curable,  is not cured  within  the  earlier  to occur of (i) 30 days  after the
occurrence thereof or (ii) any applicable cure period expressly provided in such
document.

MISCELLANEOUS:

      (a) Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default,  the holder of
this Note,  at the  holder's  option,  may  declare  all sums of  principal  and
interest  outstanding  hereunder  to be  immediately  due  and  payable  without
presentment,  demand,  notice of nonperformance,  notice of protest,  protest or
notice of dishonor,  all of which are expressly waived by each Borrower, and the
obligation,  if any, of the holder to extend any further credit  hereunder shall
immediately  cease  and  terminate.  Each  Borrower  shall  pay  to  the  holder
immediately  upon demand the full  amount of all  payments,  advances,  charges,
costs and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees (to include outside
counsel fees and all allocated costs of the holder's in-house counsel), expended
or incurred by the holder in  connection  with the  enforcement  of the holder's
rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to the holder under
this Note,  and the  prosecution  or defense of any action in any way related to
this Note,  including  without  limitation,  any action for declaratory  relief,
whether incurred at the trial or appellate  level, in an arbitration  proceeding
or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any
bankruptcy proceeding  (including without limitation,  any adversary proceeding,
contested  matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to any
Borrower or any other person or entity.

      (b) Obligations  Joint and Several.  Should more than one person or entity
sign this Note as a Borrower,  the  obligations  of each such Borrower  shall be
joint and several.

      (c)  Governing  Law.  This Note  shall be  governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon.

UNDER OREGON LAW, MOST  AGREEMENTS,  PROMISES AND COMMITMENTS MADE BY BANK AFTER
OCTOBER 3, 1989 CONCERNING  LOANS AND OTHER CREDIT  EXTENSIONS WHICH ARE NOT FOR
PERSONAL,  FAMILY OR  HOUSEHOLD


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

PURPOSES  OR SECURED  SOLELY BY THE  BORROWER'S  RESIDENCE  MUST BE IN  WRITING,
EXPRESS CONSIDERATION AND BE SIGNED BY BANK TO BE ENFORCEABLE.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this Note as of the date
first written above.

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland

Title:  Vice President-Finance




                                      -9-



                                                                      EXHIBIT 11
                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                       STATEMENT OF CALCULATION OF AVERAGE
                            COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Three Months
                                                                                                   Ended
                                                                                               June 30, 1997
                                                                                               -------------
Primary Earnings Per Share:
<S>                                                                                             <C>      
     Weighted average number of shares                                                           6,735,682
      Stock option plan shares to be issued at prices
      ranging from $3.50 to $17.9375 per share                                                     507,231
      Warrant issues at a price of $4.20 per share                                                  39,231
      Less:   Assumed purchase at average market price
              during the period using proceeds received upon exercise of options
              and purchase of stock,  and using tax benefits of compensation due
              to premature
              dispositions                                                                        (450,218)
                                                                                                 --------- 
         Total Primary Shares                                                                    6,831,926
                                                                                                 =========

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share:
     Weighted average number of shares                                                           6,735,682
      Stock option plan shares to be issued at prices
       ranging from $3.50 to $17.9375 per share                                                    507,231
      Warrant issues at a price of $4.20 per share                                                  39,231
      Less:   Assumed purchase at the higher of ending or
              average market price during the period using proceeds
              received upon exercise of options and purchase of
              stock, and using tax benefits of compensation due to
              premature dispositions                                                              (450,210)
                                                                                                 --------- 
          Total Diluted Shares                                                                   6,831,934
                                                                                                 =========
</TABLE>










Note: The effect of common stock  equivalents upon the primary and fully diluted
earnings per share  calculation is less than 3%;  therefore,  earnings per share
are  based on the  weighted  average  number of shares  outstanding  during  the
period.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from the
     Company's  balance  sheets and related  statements  of  operations  for the
     period ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
     such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000902791
<NAME>                        Barrett Business Services, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
       
<S>                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                            459
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                  22,686
<ALLOWANCES>                        0
<INVENTORY>                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>               26,063
<PP&E>                          3,641
<DEPRECIATION>                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 48,706
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>          16,923
<BONDS>                           819
               0
                         0
<COMMON>                           67
<OTHER-SE>                     28,336
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   48,706
<SALES>                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>              133,235
<CGS>                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                 119,988
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 67
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 3,406
<INCOME-TAX>                    1,322
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             2,084
<DISCONTINUED>                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                    2,084
<EPS-PRIMARY>                    0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                       0
        


</TABLE>


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