BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1999-11-15
HELP SUPPLY SERVICES
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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 September 30, 1999

                           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  reports),  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 October 29, 1999
was 7,476,898 shares.


<PAGE>

                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                                      INDEX

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

Part I - Financial Information

      Item 1.     Financial Statements

                  Balance Sheets - September 30, 1999 and
                  December 31, 1998..........................................3

                  Statements of Operations - Three Months
                  Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998..........................4

                  Statements of Operations - Nine Months
                  Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998..........................5

                  Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months
                  Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998..........................6

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

      Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of
                  Operations................................................11

      Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
                  About Market Risk.........................................18

Part II - Other Information

      Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..........................20

Signatures        ..........................................................21


Exhibit Index     ..........................................................22

                                       2
<PAGE>


                         PART I - Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements

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

                                                  September 30,   December 31,
                                                      1999            1998
                                                  -------------   ------------
      Assets

Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                         $     -          $ 4,029
   Trade accounts receivable, net                     33,223           21,907
   Prepaid expenses and other                          2,002            1,103
   Deferred tax assets (Note 3)                        1,629            1,857
                                                      ------           ------
      Total current assets                            36,854           28,896
Intangibles, net                                      22,625           11,508
Property and equipment, net                            6,481            5,184
Restricted marketable securities
 and workers' compensation deposits                    6,431            6,004
Deferred tax assets (Note 3)                             733              552
Other assets                                           1,150              626
                                                      ------             ----
                                                     $74,274          $52,770
                                                      ======           ======

      Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
   Notes payable                                     $   865          $     -
   Current portion of long-term debt                   2,783               61
   Line of credit payable                              2,972                -
   Income taxes payable (Note 3)                         200              438
   Accounts payable                                    1,362              948
   Accrued payroll, payroll taxes
    and related benefits                              16,755            9,246
   Accrued workers' compensation claims liabilities    2,700            3,244
   Customer safety incentives payable                  1,135            1,173
   Other accrued liabilities                             512              514
                                                        ----             ----
      Total current liabilities                       29,284           15,624
Long-term debt, net of current portion                 4,941              503
Customer deposits                                        787              829
Long-term workers' compensation liabilities              703              714
Other long-term liabilities                            1,791            1,398
                                                      ------           ------
                                                      37,506           19,068
                                                      ------           ------
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,500
    shares authorized, 7,581 and 7,676
    shares issued and outstanding, respectively           76               77
   Additional paid-in capital                         10,686           11,409
   Retained earnings                                  26,006           22,216
                                                      ------           ------
                                                      36,768           33,702
                                                      ------           ------
                                                     $74,274          $52,770
                                                      ======           ======


   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
                                                            September 30,
                                                        ---------------------
                                                         1999           1998
                                                        ------         ------
Revenues:
   Staffing services                                   $56,434        $44,199
   Professional employer services                       39,441         37,770
                                                        ------         ------
                                                        95,875         81,969
Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                                 74,285         63,768
   Payroll taxes and benefits                            7,620          6,587
   Workers' compensation                                 2,578          2,201
   Safety incentives                                       444            446
                                                        ------         ------
                                                        84,927         73,002

Gross margin                                            10,948          8,967

Selling, general and administrative expenses             7,116          5,826
Amortization of intangibles                                532            322
                                                        ------         ------

Income from operations                                   3,300          2,819

Other income (expense):
   Interest expense                                       (247)           (30)
   Interest income                                          82             97
   Other, net                                               27              1
                                                        ------         ------
                                                          (138)            68
                                                        ------         ------

Income before provision for income taxes                 3,162          2,887
Provision for income taxes (Note 3)                      1,327          1,288
                                                        ------         ------

Net income                                             $ 1,835        $ 1,599
                                                        ======         ======

Basic earnings per share                               $   .24        $   .21
                                                        ======         ======

Weighted average number of basic
 shares outstanding                                      7,581          7,675
                                                        ======         ======

Diluted earnings per share                             $   .24        $   .21
                                                        ======         ======

Weighted average number of diluted
 shares outstanding                                      7,634          7,714
                                                        ======         ======





   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)


                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30,
                                                          --------------------
                                                             1999        1998
                                                          -------      -------
Revenues:
   Staffing services                                     $139,848     $127,289
   Professional employer services                         111,749      100,572
                                                          -------      -------
                                                          251,597      227,861
                                                          -------      -------
Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                                   195,025      176,783
   Payroll taxes and benefits                              21,013       19,656
   Workers' compensation                                    6,992        6,408
   Safety incentives                                        1,165        1,146
                                                          -------      -------
                                                          224,195      203,993
                                                          -------      -------

Gross margin                                               27,402       23,868

Selling, general and administrative expenses               19,376       17,677
Merger expenses                                                 -          750
Amortization of intangibles                                 1,339        1,004
                                                          -------      -------

Income from operations                                      6,687        4,437

Other income (expense):
   Interest expense                                          (376)        (147)
   Interest income                                            266          322
   Other, net                                                  30            3
                                                          -------      -------
                                                              (80)         178
                                                          -------      -------

Income before provision for income taxes                    6,607        4,615
Provision for income taxes (Note 3)                         2,817        2,029
                                                          -------      -------

Net income                                               $  3,790     $  2,586
                                                          =======      =======

Basic earnings per share                                 $    .50     $    .34
                                                          =======      =======

Weighted average number of basic
 shares outstanding                                         7,609        7,660
                                                          =======      =======

Diluted earnings per share                               $    .50     $    .34
                                                          =======      =======

Weighted average number of diluted
 shares outstanding                                         7,655        7,710
                                                          =======      =======





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

                                       5
<PAGE>


                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                            Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)
                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                September 30,
                                                            -------------------
                                                              1999         1998
                                                            -------      ------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                               $ 3,790     $ 2,586
   Reconciliation of net income to cash from operations:
      Depreciation and amortization                           1,784       1,349
   Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net
    of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
      Trade accounts receivable, net                         (8,575)     (3,039)
      Prepaid expenses and other                               (840)       (962)
      Deferred tax assets                                       155        (214)
      Accounts payable                                          267        (652)
      Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits     7,348       3,739
      Accrued workers' compensation claims liabilities         (544)        276
      Customer safety incentives payable                        (38)        125
      Income taxes payable                                     (238)        516
      Other accrued liabilities                                (206)         83
      Customer deposits and long-term workers'
       compensation liabilities and other assets               (555)        (72)
      Other long-term liabilities                               393         168
                                                            -------      ------
   Net cash provided by operating activities                  2,741       3,903
                                                            -------      ------

Cash flows from investing activities:
      Cash paid for acquisitions, including other
       direct costs (Note 2)                                (14,022)       (687)
      Purchases of fixed assets, net of amounts
       purchased in acquisitions                             (1,329)       (846)
      Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities       2,325       5,458
      Purchases of marketable securities                     (2,731)     (5,190)
                                                            -------      ------
   Net cash used in investing activities                    (15,757)     (1,265)
                                                            -------      ------

Cash flows from financing activities:
      Payment of credit-line assumed in acquisition          (1,113)          -
      Payment of note payable assumed in acquisition            (55)          -
      Net proceeds from (payments on) credit-line borrowings  2,972        (887)
      Proceeds from issuance of notes payable                 1,105           -
      Payments on notes payable                                (240)          -
      Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                8,000           -
      Payments on long-term debt                               (958)       (461)
      Payment to dissenting shareholder                           -        (519)
      Payment to shareholder                                    (58)          -
      Repurchase of common stock                               (700)          -
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants       34         168
                                                            -------      ------
   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities        8,987      (1,699)
                                                            -------      ------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents         (4,029)        939

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                4,029       3,439
                                                            -------      ------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                    $     -     $ 4,378
                                                            =======      ======

Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:
   Acquisition of other businesses:
      Cost of acquisitions in excess of fair market
       value of net assets acquired                         $12,456     $   677
      Tangible assets acquired                                3,364          10
      Liabilities assumed                                     1,798           -

   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  preparation  of financial  statements  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates
and assumptions. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
audited  financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the Company's 1998
Annual  Report on Form 10-K at pages F1-F22.  The results of  operations  for an
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a
full year.

       Certain  prior year  amounts have been  reclassified  to conform with the
1999  presentation.  Such  reclassifications  had no impact on gross margin, net
income or stockholders' equity.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS:

       Effective  January 1, 1999, the Company  acquired all of the  outstanding
common stock of Temporary  Staffing Systems,  Inc. ("TSS"),  a staffing services
company with eight branch offices in North  Carolina and one in South  Carolina.
The Company paid  $2,000,000  in cash and issued a note payable for $950,000 due
January  31,  2000,  payment  of  which  is  contingent  upon a  minimum  equity
requirement for 1998 and certain  financial  performance  criteria for 1999. The
Company also paid $50,000 in cash for a  noncompete  agreement  with the selling
shareholder.  TSS's  revenues  for the  fiscal  year ended  March 29,  1998 were
approximately  $12.9  million  (audited).   The  transaction,   subject  to  the
resolution of the above contingencies, has been accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting.  The effect of this transaction  resulted in the recording
of $1,255,000 of tangible assets,  $393,000 of existing  intangible  assets, the
assumption of $1,798,000 of  liabilities  and, to date,  the  recognition  of an
additional   $2,251,000  of  intangible  assets,   which  includes  $51,000  for
acquisition-related costs.

                                       7
<PAGE>

       Effective  February 15, 1999, the Company  acquired certain assets of TPM
Staffing Services,  Inc. ("TPM"), a staffing services company with three offices
in southern  California - Lake Forest,  Santa Ana and Anaheim.  The Company paid
$1,125,000  in cash for the assets of TPM.  The  Company  also paid  $75,000 for
noncompete agreements.  TPM's revenues for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
approximately $5.7 million (unaudited).  The transaction was accounted for under
the purchase  method of  accounting,  which resulted in $1,190,000 of intangible
assets,  including $15,000 for  acquisition-related  costs, and $25,000 of fixed
assets.

       Effective May 31, 1999, the Company  acquired certain assets of Temporary
Skills Unlimited,  Inc., dba TSU Staffing  ("TSU"),  a staffing services company
with nine branch offices in northern California. The Company paid $10,422,000 in
cash for certain assets of TSU, of which $864,500 was deferred for one year from
the  date  of  acquisition.  The  Company  also  paid  $100,000  for  noncompete
agreements.   TSU's   revenues  for  the  year  ended  December  27,  1998  were
approximately  $25.0 million (audited).  The transaction was accounted for under
the purchase  method of  accounting,  which resulted in $8,622,000 of intangible
assets, including $184,000 for acquisition-related costs, $1,797,000 of accounts
receivable and $287,000 of fixed assets.

                                       8
<PAGE>


NOTE 3 - PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:

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

                                          September 30, 1999   December 31, 1998
                                          ------------------   -----------------
Current:
   Accrued workers' compensation claims
   liabilities                                 $  897                $1,232
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                101                   102
   Safety incentives                              442                   310
   Other accruals                                 189                   213
                                                -----                 -----
                                               $1,629                $1,857
                                                =====                 =====

Noncurrent:
   Tax depreciation in excess of book
   depreciation                                $  (78)               $ (101)
   Accrued workers' compensation claims
   liabilities                                    273                   278
   Book amortization of intangibles in excess
   of tax amortization                            368                   289
   Deferred compensation                           44                    62
   NOL carryforward                                92                     -
   Other                                           34                    24
                                                -----                 -----
                                               $  733                $  552
                                                =====                 =====

      The  provision  for income taxes for the nine months ended  September  30,
1999 and 1998, is as follows (in thousands):

                                             Nine Months         Nine Months
                                                Ended               Ended
                                          September 30, 1999  September 30, 1998

Current:
   Federal                                     $2,090                $1,847
   State                                          562                   396
                                                -----                 -----
                                                2,652                 2,243
                                                -----                 -----
Deferred:
   Federal                                        139                  (188)
   State                                           26                   (26)
                                                -----                 -----
                                                  165                  (214)
                                                -----                 -----

Provision for income taxes                     $2,817                $2,029
                                                =====                 =====


NOTE 4 - 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 1999:

                                       9
<PAGE>

Outstanding at December 31, 1998     785,295       $ 3.39 to $18.00

Options granted                      181,737       $ 2.80 to  $8.94
Options exercised                     (9,059)      $ 3.50 to  $5.23
Options canceled or expired          (74,002)

Outstanding at September 30, 1999    883,971       $ 2.80 to $17.94
                                     =======

Exercisable at September 30, 1999    486,337

Available for grant at
   September 30, 1999                198,595
                                     =======

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

      Certain  of  the  Company's  zone  and  branch  management  employees  had
previously  elected to receive a portion  of their  quarterly  cash bonus in the
form of  nonqualified  deferred  compensation  stock  options.  Such options are
awarded at a sixty  percent  discount  from the  then-fair  market  value of the
Company's stock and are fully vested and immediately exercisable upon grant. The
amount of the grantee's deferred compensation  (discount from fair market value)
is subject to market  risk.  During the first nine  months of 1999,  the Company
awarded deferred compensation stock options for 28,866 shares at exercise prices
ranging from $2.80 to $3.58 per share.

                                       10
<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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998.

                                            Percentage of Total Revenues
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                         September 30,           September 30,
                                      -----------------       -----------------

                                       1999        1998        1999        1998
                                       ----        ----        ----        ----
Revenues:
   Staffing services                   58.9%       53.9%       55.6%       55.9%
   Professional employer services      41.1        46.1        44.4        44.1
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----
      Total revenues                  100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----

Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                77.5        77.8        77.5        77.6
   Payroll taxes and benefits           7.9         8.1         8.3         8.6
   Workers' compensation                2.7         2.7         2.8         2.8
   Safety incentives                    0.5         0.5         0.5         0.5
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----
      Total cost of revenues           88.6        89.1        89.1        89.5
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----

Gross margin                           11.4        10.9        10.9        10.5
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                               7.4         7.1         7.7         7.8
Merger expenses                           -           -           -         0.3
Amortization of intangibles             0.6         0.4         0.5         0.5
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----
Income from operations                  3.4         3.4         2.7         1.9
Other income (expense)                 (0.1)        0.1        (0.1)        0.1
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----
Pretax income                           3.3         3.5         2.6         2.0
Provision for income taxes              1.4         1.5         1.1         0.9
                                      -----       -----       -----       -----
Net income                              1.9%        2.0%        1.5%        1.1%
                                      =====       =====       =====       =====


                 Three months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998

      Net income for the third  quarter of 1999 was  $1,835,000,  an increase of
$236,000 or 14.8% over the third quarter of 1998. The increase in net income for
1999 was  attributable to a higher gross margin percent owing primarily to lower
direct  payroll  costs and lower  payroll  taxes and  benefits,  expressed  as a
percentage  of  revenues,   offset  in  part  by  higher  selling,  general  and
administrative  expenses.  Basic and  diluted  earnings  per share for the third
quarter  of 1999  were  $.24 as  compared  to $.21 for both  basic  and  diluted
earnings per share for the third quarter of 1998.

      Revenues  for the  third  quarter  of  1999  totaled  approximately  $95.9
million,  an increase  of  approximately  $13.9  million or 17.0% over the third
quarter of 1998. The  quarter-over-quarter  internal

                                       11
<PAGE>

growth rate of revenues  was 1.7%.  The  percentage  increase in total  revenues
exceeded  the  internal  growth  rate  of  revenues  primarily  due to  the  TSS
acquisition  effective January 1, 1999, the TPM acquisition  effective  February
15, 1999 and the TSU acquisition effective May 31, 1999.

      Staffing   services   revenue   increased   $12.2  million  or  27.7%  and
professional  employer  ("PEO") services revenue  increased  approximately  $1.7
million or 4.4%, which resulted in an increase in the share of staffing services
from  53.9% of total  revenues  for the third  quarter  of 1998 to 58.9% for the
third quarter of 1999.  The share of PEO services had a  corresponding  decrease
from  46.1% of total  revenues  for the third  quarter  of 1998 to 41.1% for the
third quarter of 1999.

      Gross  margin for the third  quarter of 1999 totaled  approximately  $10.9
million,  which  represented an increase of $2.0 million or 22.1% over the third
quarter of 1998. The gross margin  percent  increased from 10.9% of revenues for
the third quarter of 1998 to 11.4% for the third  quarter of 1999.  The increase
in the gross margin percentage was due to lower direct payroll costs and payroll
taxes and benefits as a percentage of revenues.  The decrease in direct  payroll
costs was primarily attributable to the increased share of revenues for staffing
services which  typically  provide higher markups  resulting in reduced  payroll
costs as a percentage  of revenues.  The decrease in payroll  taxes and benefits
for the  third  quarter  of 1999  was  primarily  attributable  to  lower  state
unemployment tax rates in some of the states in which the Company does business.
Workers' compensation expense for the third quarter of 1999 totaled $2.6 million
or 2.7% of revenues, which is comparable to the $2.2 million or 2.7% of revenues
for the third quarter of 1998.

      Selling,  general  and  administrative  ("SG&A")  expenses  for the  third
quarter of 1999  amounted to  approximately  $7.1  million,  an increase of $1.3
million or 22.1% over the third quarter of 1998.  SG&A expenses,  expressed as a
percentage  of revenues,  increased  from 7.1% for the third  quarter of 1998 to
7.4% for the third quarter of 1999.  The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily
due to increased  management  payroll,  advertising  expense and rent expense in
connection  with the 21 additional  branch offices  acquired in the TSS, TPM and
TSU acquisitions.

      Amortization of intangibles  totaled  $532,000 or 0.6% of revenues for the
third  quarter of 1999,  which  compares to $322,000 or 0.4% of revenues for the
third quarter of 1998. The increased  amortization  expense was primarily due to
the amortization of intangibles recognized in the TSS, TPM and TSU acquisitions,
which were consummated in the first five months of 1999.

                                       12
<PAGE>

      The  Company  offers  various  qualified  employee  benefit  plans  to its
employees,  including its worksite  employees.  These qualified 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,  qualified  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 19-20 of the  Company's  1998 Annual  Report on Form
10-K for a more detailed discussion of this issue.

                  Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998

      Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $3,790,000, an
increase of  $1,204,000  or 46.6% over the same period in 1998.  The increase in
net income was  attributable to a higher gross margin percent owing primarily to
lower  payroll  taxes and  benefits and slightly  lower  direct  payroll  costs,
expressed as a percentage of revenues.  Additionally, the 1998 nine-month period
included  $750,000  of  merger  expenses  related  to the  Company's  June  1998
pooling-of-interests  merger with Western Industrial Management,  Inc. Basic and
diluted  earnings  per  share  for the  nine-month  period  of 1999 were $.50 as
compared to $.34 for both basic and diluted  earnings  per share for the similar
period of 1998.

      Revenues   for  the  nine  months   ended   September   30,  1999  totaled
approximately  $251.6  million,  an increase of  approximately  $23.7 million or
10.4% over the  similar  period of 1998.  The  increase  in total  revenues  was
primarily due to the TSS, TPM and TSU  acquisitions,  which were  consummated in
1999.

      Gross  margin  for the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1999  totaled
approximately  $27.4 million,  which  represented an increase of $3.5 million or
14.8% over the similar period of 1998.  The gross margin percent  increased from
10.5% of revenues for the nine-month period of 1998 to 10.9% for the same period
of 1999.  The increase in the gross margin  percentage  was due to lower payroll
taxes and benefits and slightly  lower  direct  payroll  costs.  The decrease in
payroll  taxes and  benefits  for the  nine-month  period of 1999 was  primarily
attributable  to lower state  unemployment  tax rates in certain states in which
the Company does business.

                                       13
<PAGE>

      Selling,  general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999 amounted to approximately $19.4 million, an increase of
$1.7 million or 9.6% over the similar period of 1998.  SG&A expenses,  expressed
as a percentage of revenues,  decreased from 7.8% for the  nine-month  period of
1998 to 7.7% for the same period of 1999. The increase in total SG&A dollars was
primarily  due to  management  payroll,  advertising  expense,  rent expense and
increased  profit sharing and related taxes in connection with the 21 additional
branch offices acquired in the TSS, TPM and TSU acquisitions.

      Amortization  of intangibles  totaled $1.3 million or 0.5% of revenues for
the nine months ended September 30, 1999, which compares to $1.0 million or 0.5%
of revenues for the same period of 1998. The increased  amortization  expense in
dollars was primarily due to the  amortization of intangibles  recognized in the
1999 acquisitions of TSS, TPM and TSU.

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 tend to represent a smaller
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
some employees. Workers' compensation expense varies with both the frequency and
severity of workplace  injury  claims  reported  during a quarter or  subsequent
quarters.

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

      The Company's  cash position at September 30, 1999 decreased by $4,029,000
from December 31, 1998. The decrease in cash at September 30, 1999 was primarily
due to cash used in  connection  with three  acquisitions  made since January 1,
1999 and open-market share repurchase activity,  offset in part by proceeds from
operating  activities,  the  Company's  bank  term  loan and  borrowings  on its
unsecured credit line.

                                       14
<PAGE>

      Net cash  provided  by  operating  activities  for the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1999  amounted to  $2,741,000  as compared to  $3,903,000  for the
comparable 1998 period. For the 1999 period,  cash flow was primarily  generated
by net income  coupled  with an increase of  $7,348,000  in accrued  payroll and
benefits, offset in part by an increase in accounts receivable of $8,575,000.

      Net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  totaled  $15,757,000  for  the
nine-month  period ended  September 30, 1999, as compared to $1,265,000  for the
similar 1998 period. For the 1999 period, cash used in investing  activities was
primarily for the acquisitions of TSS, TPM and TSU. The Company presently has no
material long-term capital commitments.

      Net cash  provided  by  financing  activities  for the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1999 amounted to  $8,987,000,  which compares to $1,699,000 of net
cash used in  financing  activities  for the same  period in 1998.  For the 1999
period,  the primary  source of cash  provided by  financing  activities  was an
$8,000,000  term loan obtained from the Company's  principal bank and $2,972,000
of net  borrowings on the Company's  credit line.  The term loan was obtained to
provide  financing for the TSU  acquisition,  and, at September 30, 1999, had an
outstanding principal balance of $7.1 million.

      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 2 to  the  financial
statements  included  herein,  the Company has completed  three  acquisitions in
1999.  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.

      The Company  maintains a credit  arrangement with its principal bank which
provides an unsecured revolving credit facility of $12.0 million. This facility,
which expires May 31, 2000,  includes a subfeature for standby letters of credit
in connection with certain  workers'  compensation  surety  arrangements,  as to
which  approximately  $2.0 million was  outstanding  as of  September  30, 1999.
Management  expects that 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.

      On November 11, 1999,  the Company  announced  that its board of directors
had authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 200,000 common shares under
the  Company's  stock  repurchase  program  from  time to  time  in  open-market
purchases.  This action  increases the total number of common shares  authorized
for  repurchase  from 250,000 to 450,000.  From the  inception of the  Company's
stock  repurchase  program on February  26, 1999 through  October 22, 1999,  the
Company  repurchased  203,200 shares at an aggregate price of approximately $1.4
million.  Management  anticipates  that the capital  necessary  to execute  this
program will be provided by cash generated from operating activities.

                                       15
<PAGE>

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.

                                       16
<PAGE>

Year 2000 Readiness

      The Company has  developed a Year 2000 ("Y2K") plan to assess its internal
operational  readiness,  as well as  compliance  by the  Company's  key vendors.
Management's  plan is focused  on  evaluating  the  readiness  of the  Company's
mission critical applications  software,  operating systems software,  hardware,
communications,  third-party interfaces,  facilities (typically  non-information
technology  systems) and key vendors.  This  evaluation  process  involves  four
phases: (1) identification of risks, (2) assessment of risks, (3) development of
remediation and contingency plans, and (4) testing and implementation.

      Management believes that the  mission-critical  corporate and branch-level
legacy payroll processing  systems are currently Y2K compliant.  Such compliance
was achieved  through minor  reprogramming  by internal  staff at no incremental
cost to the Company.  Management believes that the Company's financial reporting
systems are also currently Y2K compliant.

      As the Company has previously reported,  management initiated a project in
mid-1997  to  convert  its  information  systems to new  technologies  which are
expected to enable the Company to more  effectively  accommodate its anticipated
growth. This upgrade is anticipated to be completed during the fourth quarter of
1999,  and  management  believes  that this new system is Y2K  compliant for the
mission-critical  application  of payroll  processing.  The Company has incurred
capital  expenditures  of $3.0 million  through  September  30,  1999,  for this
project  and expects to incur  another  $0.8  million  prior to  completion.  In
summary, the Company believes that its mission-critical business systems are Y2K
compliant in all material respects.

      The Company's assessment of the risks associated with non-mission critical
systems has been completed and remediation activities have commenced. Management
expects the costs to remediate  these systems to be minimal.  Management has not
yet  identified  any  reasonably  likely worst case  scenarios or determined the
extent of contingency planning that may be required.  As part of its assessment,
the Company is relying on  assurances  from key vendors that their  products and
services will be Y2K compliant.  To date, no significant  compliance issues have
been identified with third parties.

      The risks  associated with the Y2K problem are pervasive and complex,  can
be  difficult  to identify  and to address,  and can result in material  adverse
consequences to the Company. Some problems may not be identified or corrected in
time  to  prevent  material  adverse  consequences  to the  Company.  Also,  the
Company's business may be adversely affected by events outside its control, such
as disruptions to services  provided by utilities,  banks or  transportation  or
telecommunications networks.

                                       17
<PAGE>

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 and allowance for doubtful  accounts,  the  tax-qualified
status of the Company's  401(k) savings plan,  the timely  resolution of the Y2K
issue by the Company and its  customers  and vendors,  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  statements  contained herein to reflect
future events or developments.

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

      The  Company's  exposure  to market  risk for  changes in  interest  rates
primarily relates to the Company's short-term and long-term debt obligations. As
of September 30, 1999,  the Company had  interest-bearing  debt  obligations  of
approximately $12.6 million, of which approximately $10.1 million bears interest
at a variable rate and  approximately  $2.5 million at a fixed rate of interest.
The variable rate debt is comprised of  approximately  $3.0 million  outstanding
under an  unsecured  revolving  credit  facility,  which  bears  interest at the
federal  funds rate plus 125 basis  points.  The Company  also has an  unsecured
three-year term note with its principal bank, which bears interest at LIBOR plus
135 basis points.  Based on the Company's overall interest exposure at September
30, 1999, a 10 percent change in market interest rates would not have a material
effect on the fair  value of the  Company's  long-term  debt or its  results  of
operations.  As of  September  30,  1999,  the Company had not entered  into any
interest rate instruments to reduce its exposure to interest rate risk.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                           Part II - Other Information


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)   No Current  Reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Registrant  during
            the quarter ended September 30, 1999.


                                       19
<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:  November 12, 1999                  By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland
                                             Michael D. Mulholland
                                             Vice President-Finance
                                             (Principal Financial Officer)


                                       20
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT
- -------

11       Statement of Calculation of Average
         Common Shares Outstanding

27       Financial Data Schedule

                                       21


                                                                      EXHIBIT 11


                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                        STATEMENT OF CALCULATION OF BASIC
                      AND DILUTED COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING


                                                               Three Months
                                                                   Ended
                                                            September 30, 1999
                                                            ------------------


   Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding           7,581,311
    Stock option plan shares to be issued at prices
      ranging from $2.80 to $17.94 per share                       882,827
    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                                   (829,996)
                                                                 ---------
   Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding         7,634,142
                                                                 =========


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
Company's  balance sheet and related  statements  of  operations  for the period
ended  September  30, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                             0
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 33,223
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              36,854
<PP&E>                                         6,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                     0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                74,274
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         29,284
<BONDS>                                        4,941
                              0
                                        0
<COMMON>                                          76
<OTHER-SE>                                    36,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  74,274
<SALES>                                            0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             251,597
<CGS>                                              0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                224,195
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               376
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                6,607
<INCOME-TAX>                                   2,817
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            3,790
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   3,790
<EPS-BASIC>                                   0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0.50


</TABLE>


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