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Exhibit 23


Arthur Andersen LLP

Atlanta, Georgia






                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  of our report dated October  20,  1996,  included or incorporated  by
reference in National  Service  Industries,  Inc. 10-K for the year ended August
31,  1996,  into the  Company's  previously  filed  Registration  Statemen  Nos.
33-36980,  33-51339, 33-51341, 33-51343, 33-51345, 33-51351, 33-51355, 33-51357,
31-60715, 33-63041, and 33-63043.



ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



November 17, 1996