<PAGE> 1
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-37393
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
SUPPLEMENT NO. 5 DATED AUGUST 30, 1999
TO PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 24, 1997
RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
The following table sets forth (i) the name of the Selling Stockholder, who
was transferred the shares of Common Stock from a stockholder who received the
shares in connection with acquisitions by the Company, (ii) the number of shares
of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder as
of August 30, 1999, and (iii) the number of shares of Common Stock which the
Selling Stockholder may offer and sell pursuant to this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
NUMBER OF SHARES COMMON STOCK WHICH
OF COMMON STOCK MAY BE OFFERED
NAME OWNED(1) PERCENT PURSUANT HERETO
- ---- ---------------- ------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ramsey-Norton Revocable Trust II
dated August 30, 1999,
Patrick Cantelme and Robert
L'Ecuyer, Trustees................ 202,000 1.4% 202,000
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) The Trustees in the above named trust have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by
the trust.