Page 16
                                                          Exhibit 10(iii)A(1)(a)

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 3
                                     TO THE
                        SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN FOR
                 EXECUTIVES OF NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.


         THIS AMENDMENT made as of the 18th day of September,  1996, by National
Service Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NSI");

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  NSI has previously  established the  Supplemental  Retirement
Plan for  Executives  of National  Service  Industries,  Inc.  ("Plan")  for the
exclusive benefit of its eligible employees and their beneficiaries; and

         WHEREAS, NSI desires to amend the Plan in accordance with the power of
amendment contained therein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

                                       1.

         Section  1.1(a)(2) is hereby  amended by deleting the first sentence of
the present section and substituting the following in lieu thereof:

         "A Participant's Accrued Pension as of any given date that is after the
         date he has  attained  both at least age 55 and  completed  at least 10
         years of service  from his Service Date to his Early  Retirement  Date,
         and before his Normal  Retirement Date, shall be an amount equal to 45%
         of his Average  Monthly  Compensation,  minus 50% of his Primary Social
         Security Benefit."

                                       2.

         Section  3.3 is hereby  amended by deleting  the first  sentence of the
present section and substituting the following in lieu thereof:


                                                                         Page 17
                                                          Exhibit 10(iii)A(1)(a)

         "A  Participant  may  retire  after his 55th  birthday  and the date of
         completion of at least 10 years of service from his Service Date to his
         Early  Retirement Date and be entitled to an Early  Retirement  Accrued
         Pension."

                                       3.

         This Amendment shall be effective  September 18, 1996. Except as hereby
amended, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.


                                               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.


ATTEST:
                                               By: /S/ DAVID LEVY

/S/ KEN MURPHY
         (CORPORATE SEAL)