Page 1 of 14
                            Exhibit Index on Page 12

                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                   Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15 (d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



    For quarter ended February 28, 1997     Commission file number 1-3208



                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



                Delaware                                58-0364900
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
    Incorporation or Organization)


            1420 Peachtree Street, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia    30309-3002
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices)       (Zip Code)



                                 (404) 853-1000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                      None
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last
 Report)



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 -

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest  practicable  date  (applicable only to corporate
issuers).

Common Stock - $1.00 Par Value - 45,128,138 shares as of March 31, 1997.


Page 2




               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX


                                                                       Page No.

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -
                  FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND AUGUST 31, 1996                   3

         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME -
                  THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997
                  AND FEBRUARY 29, 1996                                   4

         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -
                  SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND
                  FEBRUARY 29, 1996                                       5

         NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                      6-7

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS          8-9

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

         ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                        10

SIGNATURES                                                               11

EXHIBIT INDEX                                                            12




                                                                          Page 3

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         (Dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                        February 28,  August 31,
                                                            1997         1996
ASSETS                                                          (Unaudited)
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ........................... $   30,648   $   58,662
  Short-term investments ..............................        551          551
   Receivables, less reserves for doubtful
     accounts of $6,587 at February 28, 1997
     and $5,807 at August 31, 1996 ....................    239,789      269,971
   Inventories, at the lower of cost (on a
     first-in, first-out basis) or market .............    164,903      169,813
   Linens in service, net of amortization .............     96,390       97,710
  Deferred income taxes ...............................     10,030        2,152
  Prepayments .........................................     11,318        7,522
    Total Current Assets ..............................    553,629      606,381

 Property, Plant, and Equipment, at cost:
  Land ................................................     27,591       29,062
  Buildings and leasehold improvements ................    184,425      194,219
  Machinery and equipment .............................    523,391      542,056
     Total Property, Plant, and Equipment .............    735,407      765,337
  Less - Accumulated depreciation and
    amortization ......................................    391,020      407,941
       Property, Plant, and Equipment - net ...........    344,387      357,396

Other Assets:
  Goodwill and other intangibles ......................     85,538       89,427
  Other ...............................................     35,733       41,442
    Total Other Assets ................................    121,271      130,869
      Total Assets .................................... $1,019,287   $1,094,646


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt ................ $    5,566   $       46
  Notes payable .......................................      5,657        6,696
  Accounts payable ....................................     85,522       79,851
   Accrued salaries, commissions, and bonuses .........     29,944       42,788
  Current portion of self insurance reserves ..........     18,118       15,396
  Other accrued liabilities ...........................     40,054       52,649
    Total Current Liabilities .........................    184,861      197,426

Long-Term Debt, less current maturities ..............      26,262       24,920
Deferred Income Taxes .................................     56,630       63,347
 Self Insurance Reserves, less current portion ........     60,228       63,369
Other Long-Term Liabilities ...........................     28,437       27,576

Stockholders' Equity:
   Series A participating  preferred  stock,  
      $.05 stated value,  500,000 shares
      authorized, none issued
   Preferred stock, no par value, 500,000 shares
     authorized, none issued
   Common stock, $1 par value, 80,000,000 shares
     authorized, 57,918,978 shares issued at February
     28, 1997 and August 31, 1996 .....................     57,919       57,919
  Paid-in capital .....................................     11,976       11,021
  Retained earnings ...................................    807,318      791,367
                                                           877,213      860,307
   Less - Treasury  stock, at cost  (13,364,809  
     shares at February 28, 1997 and 11,447,036 
     shares at August 31, 1996) .......................    214,344      142,299
        Total Stockholders' Equity ....................    662,869      718,008

          Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity .. $1,019,287   $1,094,646


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these balance sheets.


Page 4  

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
              (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per-share data)



                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              FEB. 28,      FEB. 29,     FEB. 28,      FEB. 29,
                                                1997          1996         1997          1996
                                                                         
Sales and Service Revenues:
  Net sales of products  ................   $   371,384   $  352,403    $  753,147   $  712,245
  Service revenues .......................      127,852      129,803       257,982      262,511
    Total Revenues .......................      499,236      482,206     1,011,129      974,756

Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of products sold ..................      235,313      227,098       471,917      454,537
  Cost of services .......................       75,197       74,850       150,775      149,214
  Selling and administrative expenses ....      155,148      150,514       313,530      302,734
   Interest expense, net .................          950          340         1,600          598
   Other expense, net ....................          441       (1,316)        1,780         (142)
    Total Costs and Expenses .............      467,049      451,486       939,602      906,941


Income before Provision for Income Taxes .       32,187       30,720        71,527       67,815

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes:
  Current ................................       10,459       12,991        24,965       27,218
  Deferred ...............................        1,383       (1,521)        1,383       (1,922)
                                                 11,842       11,470        26,348       25,296

Net Income ...............................   $   20,345   $   19,250    $   45,179   $   42,519


Per Share:
  Net income .............................   $      .45   $      .40    $      .99   $      .88

  Cash dividends .........................   $      .30   $      .29    $      .59   $      .57


Weighted Average Number of Shares
  Outstanding (thousands) ................       44,994       48,364        45,468       48,350




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


                                                                          Page 5

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)


                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED  
                                                           FEB. 28      FEB. 29
                                                            1997         1996
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:
  Net income ...........................................   $ 45,179    $ 42,519
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization ....................     29,507      29,336
      Provision for losses on accounts receivable ......      2,283       2,256
      Gain on the sale of property, plant, and equipment       (243)     (1,459)
      Gain on the sale of business .....................       (924)     (2,946)
      Change in noncurrent deferred income taxes .......      1,383      (1,922)
      Change in assets and liabilities net of effect
        of acquisitions-
          Receivables ..................................     12,220      11,030
          Inventories and linens in service, net .......        321        (913)
          Current deferred income taxes ................     (7,879)     (5,286)
          Prepayments and other ........................     (5,370)     (3,669)
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities .....    (17,426)    (26,686)
          Changes in self-insurance reserves and
          other long-term liabilities ..................     (2,280)     (3,198)
            Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ..     56,771      39,062

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities:
  Change in short-term investments .....................       --         1,048
  Purchase of property, plant, and equipment ...........    (20,190)    (31,100)
  Sale of property, plant, and equipment ...............      2,833       3,695
  Sale of business .....................................     31,259      11,517
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ...................     (3,609)       (600)
  Change in other assets ...............................        729         957
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities .............     11,022     (14,483)

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities:
  Change in notes payable ..............................     (1,039)        231
  Issuance (repayment) of long-term debt ...............      6,862         (50)
  Recovery of investment in tax benefits ...............        661         860
  Deferred income taxes from investment
  in tax benefits ......................................     (1,972)     (2,136)
  Purchase of treasury stock ...........................    (71,090)     (1,919)
  Cash dividends paid ..................................    (27,079)    (27,570)
    Net Cash Used for Financing Activities .............    (93,657)    (30,584)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash ................     (2,150)         34

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents ................    (28,014)     (5,971)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year .........     58,662      79,402

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period .............   $ 30,648    $ 73,431


Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
  Income taxes paid during the period ..................   $ 38,296    $ 41,850
  Interest paid during the period ......................      2,862       2,096

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
  Noncash aspects of sale of business -
    Receivables  incurred ..............................   $   (347)   $    --
    Liabilities assumed (removed) ......................       (507)

Noncash Aspects of Acquisitions:
  Liabilities assumed or incurred ......................   $   (886)   $     6
  Treasury stock issued (returned) .....................        --          --



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


Page 6

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared
by the company without audit and the condensed  consolidated balance sheet as of
August 31, 1996 has been  derived  from  audited  statements.  These  statements
reflect all adjustments,  all of which are of a normal,  recurring nature, which
are, in the opinion of management,  necessary to present fairly the consolidated
financial  position  as of  February  28,  1997,  the  consolidated  results  of
operations  for the three  months and six months  ended  February  28,  1997 and
February  29,  1996,  and the  consolidated  cash flows for the six months ended
February  28, 1997 and  February  29,  1996.  Certain  information  and footnote
disclosures  normally  included in financial  statements  prepared in accordance
with generally  accepted  accounting  principles have been condensed or omitted.
The company  believes that the  disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not  misleading.  It is suggested that these  financial  statements be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and notes thereto included in
the  company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31,
1996.

The results of  operations  for the six months  ended  February 28, 1997 are not
necessarily  indicative  of the results to be expected  for the full fiscal year
because the  company's  revenues and income are  generally  higher in the second
half of its fiscal  year and  because  of the  uncertainty  of general  business
conditions.

2.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION:


                                 Three Months Ended Feb. 28, 1997 and Feb. 29, 1996
                                   Sales and Service
                                       Revenues                   Operating Profit
                                   1997          1996            1997           1996
                                                    (In thousands)
                                                               
     Lighting Equipment ...   $   223,721    $   206,454    $    20,645    $    13,776
     Textile Rental .......       127,852        129,803          7,301          9,247
     Chemical .............        87,695         84,355          6,624          6,222
     Envelopes ............        33,410         30,482          2,638          2,046
     Other ................        26,558         31,112           (632)         1,006
                              $   499,236    $   482,206         36,576         32,297
     Corporate ............                                      (3,439)        (1,237)
      Interest expense, net                                        (950)          (340)
     Total ................                                 $    32,187    $    30,720


                                  Six Months Ended Feb. 28, 1997 and Feb. 29, 1996
                                     Sales and Service
                                       Revenues                   Operating Profit
                                   1997          1996            1997           1996
                                                    (In thousands)
     Lighting Equipment ...   $   451,168    $   414,732    $    42,017    $    30,154
     Textile Rental .......       257,982        262,511         15,438         19,000
     Chemical .............       183,177        176,462         17,547         15,927
     Envelopes ............        64,761         59,965          4,751          4,162
     Other ................        54,041         61,086            947          1,980
                              $ 1,011,129    $   974,756         80,700         71,223
     Corporate ............                                      (7,573)        (2,810)
      Interest expense, net                                      (1,600)          (598)
     Total ................                                 $    71,527    $    67,815







                                                                          Page 7

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

       NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (CONTINUED)


3.  INVENTORIES


     Major classes of inventory as of February 28, 1997 and August 31, 1996 were
as follows:

                                               February 28,       August 31,
                                                   1997              1996
                                                        (In thousands)
     Raw Materials and Supplies .............       $ 62,108       $ 73,236
     Work-in-Process ........................         10,120          9,679
     Finished Goods .........................         92,675         86,898
          Total .............................       $164,903       $169,813


4.  ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADOPTED

During the first  quarter of fiscal  1997,  the  company  adopted  Statement  of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed  of." SFAS No. 121
requires that  long-lived  assets and certain  intangibles be reviewed  whenever
events or changes in circumstances  indicate that the carrying value of an asset
may not be recoverable.  The adoption of SFAS No. 121 did not have a significant
impact on the company's  financial  statements.  During the three months and six
months  ended  February  28,  1997,  there  were  no  circumstances   indicating
impairment of assets.


5.  RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain   amounts  in  the  1996  financial   statements  and  notes  have  been
reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation.



Page 8

                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following  discussion  should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated
financial statements and related notes.


Financial Condition

National Service  Industries  maintained a strong financial position at February
28, 1997. Net working capital was $368.8  million,  compared with $409.0 million
at August 31, 1996,  and the current  ratio was 3.0,  compared  with 3.1 at year
end. Cash and  short-term  investments  were $31.2  million  compared with $59.2
million at August 31. For the six months ended February 28, the company invested
$23.8 million in capital  expenditures and acquisitions.  The percent of debt to
total  capitalization  was 5.4  percent,  up from 4.2 percent at August 31. Cash
provided by operating  activities was $56.8  million,  up from $39.1 million for
the first half last year.

Capital expenditures,  exclusive of acquisition spending, were $20.2 million for
the first half this year and $31.1  million  for the same  period a year ago. In
both periods, the lighting equipment segment invested in facility  improvements,
equipment replacements,  process improvements,  and tooling for new products and
textile rental segment spending consisted primarily of improvement of facilities
and  replacement of equipment.  Prior year textile rental spending also included
fleet replacements.

Current year acquisition spending of $3.6 million was the result of the chemical
segment's  purchase of chemical  products  companies  in Ohio and Canada and the
lighting  equipment  segment's  acquisition of Lumaid,  Inc., a small  emergency
lighting products manufacturer in Canada. During the quarter, the company agreed
to purchase for stock Enforcer Products, Inc., a specialty chemical company with
a retail  focus.  The  acquisition  was  completed  during  the  third  quarter.
Acquisition spending was minimal in the prior-year period.

Cash from  divestitures  totaled  $31.3  million for the first half.  During the
quarter,  the insulation business was sold for $27.1 million. The textile rental
segment  divested  non-strategic  businesses in both the current and prior year,
generating cash of $4.1 million and $11.5 million, respectively.

Dividend  payments totaled $27.1 million,  or 59 cents per share,  compared with
$27.6  million,  or 57 cents per share,  for the  prior-year  period.  Effective
January,  1997, the regular quarterly dividend rate was increased 3.4 percent to
30 cents per share,  or an annual rate of $1.20 per share.  During the  quarter,
the company  completed the repurchase of 2.0 million of its common  shares.  The
Board  had  previously  clarified  that  the  standing  authority  is to  reduce
outstanding shares by 2.0 million per year, net of shares reissued. In the third
quarter,  the company plans to repurchase stock to offset the dilution caused by
the $20 million in shares initially issued to purchase Enforcer.

For  the  periods  presented,  capital  expenditures,   working  capital  needs,
dividends,  acquisitions,  and share  repurchases  were financed  primarily with
internally  generated  funds and some interim  borrowing  against the  committed
credit facility.  European operations were supplemented by short-term borrowings
in the European  market.  Contractual  commitments  for capital and  acquisition
spending  during the coming  twelve  months total $20  million.  For the current
fiscal year, the company expects actual capital expenditures to be comparable to
levels of recent years, which, excluding acquisition spending,  were $66 million
in 1996, $59 million in 1995, and $43 million in 1994.  Late in fiscal 1996, the
company  negotiated the $250 million  multi-currency  committed  credit facility
with eleven  domestic and  international  banks.  The company has  complimentary
lines of credit  totaling $132 million,  of which $110 million has been provided
domestically  and $22 million is available on a  multi-currency  basis primarily
from a European bank. Current liquid assets, internally generated funds, and the
available  credit are expected to meet the  anticipated  general  operating cash
requirements for the next twelve months.


Results of Operations

National  Service  Industries'  earnings per share for the second  quarter ended
February  28, 1997  increased  12.5 percent to 45 cents  compared  with the same
quarter a year ago. Sales for the quarter increased 3.5 percent to $499 million.
Net  income of $20.3  million  was 5.7  percent  higher  than the $19.3  million
reported in last year's  second  quarter.  Second  quarter 1997 pretax  earnings
included  gains of $0.5 million on asset sales and $1.8  million  from  improved
1995  workers'  compensation  claims  experience.  The  second  quarter  of 1996
included gains of $3.5 million on asset sales. Earnings per share increased at a
greater rate of 12.5 percent due to 3.4 million fewer average shares outstanding
compared to the second quarter a year ago.

For the first half of NSI's fiscal year,  sales  increased  $36 million,  or 3.7
percent, to $1.0 billion.  Net income increased $2.7 million, or 6.3 percent, to
$45.2  million.  The 1997 first half  pre-tax  earnings  included  gains of $1.2
million  from asset  sales and $3.6  million  from  ongoing  favorable  workers'
compensation  claims  experience.  Gains on asset sales were $4.4 million in the
first half of 1996.  Earnings per share for the first six months  increased 12.5
percent to 99 cents.


                                                                          Page 9

The second quarter  performance was led by the lighting  equipment  segment as a
result of continued strength in non-residential  construction,  growth in retail
sales and the  introduction of new products.  Sales advanced 8.4 percent to $224
million  for the  quarter  and 8.8  percent to $451  million for the first half.
Operating income advanced 49.9 percent to $20.6 million for the quarter and 39.3
percent to $42.0 million for the six months as higher volumes,  a more favorable
product mix, and lower  manufacturing  costs increased  profits.  Lumaid,  Inc.,
acquired during the first half, is reported as part of the segment.

For the second quarter and six months,  sales in the textile rental segment were
down 1.5 percent to $128 million and 1.7 percent to $258 million,  respectively,
as a result of previously  divested  branches.  Operating  income  declined 21.0
percent to $7.3 million from $9.2 million in the second quarter of 1996 and 18.7
percent  to  $15.4  million  from  $19.0  million  for the  first  half of 1996.
Operating  income for the quarter included gains of $0.4 million on asset sales,
a $1.1 million reduction in workers'  compensation self insurance reserves,  and
$2.8  million  for  accounting  policy  changes  for  ancillary  linen  revenue.
Partially  offsetting the gains was a $2.2 million  charge for ongoing  facility
consolidations.  For the first half,  operating  income  included  gains of $0.9
million on asset sales, a $2.2 million  reduction in workers'  compensation self
insurance  reserves,  and the $2.8  million for  accounting  policy  changes for
ancillary  linen  revenue.  The impact of the  accounting  changes and  workers'
compensation  adjustments  is anticipated to be repeated in the third and fourth
quarters.  The 1996  operating  income  included  gains  on asset  sales of $3.4
million  for the quarter and $4.1  million for the year to date.  As  previously
reported,  the textile  rental  segment has  concentrated  on improving  revenue
quality  through better  contract  administration,  focused sales  efforts,  and
improved   service.   In  addition,   operating   costs  have  been  reduced  by
approximately  $8.0 million per year. As a result of these efforts,  the segment
has begun to show improved core operating profit rates.  Management is currently
evaluating  strategic  alternatives to establish a stable operating platform and
anticipates completing this process by year end.

Chemical  segment  sales  advanced 4.0 percent to $88 million  during the second
quarter  and 3.8  percent  to $183  million  for the year to date as a result of
improved  productivity of the sales force and incremental  volumes from U.S. and
Canadian  acquisitions.  Operating  income  grew 6.5  percent to 7.6  percent of
revenues from 7.4 percent the prior-year  second quarter and 10.2 percent to 9.6
percent of revenues  from 9.0 percent the prior first half.  The gains  resulted
from improved  domestic  volume.  The Enforcer  acquisition  closed on March 12,
1997,  and will be reported as part of the chemical  segment in future  periods.
The  European  operations  continued  to report a small loss for the first half,
which was equal to the loss last year.

The envelope  segment  increased  sales during the quarter by 9.6 percent to $33
million and for the six months by 8.0 percent to $65 million.  Operating  profit
improved by 28.9  percent to $2.6  million  for the quarter and 14.2  percent to
$4.8  million for the first half due to stable  paper costs and  improved  plant
efficiencies.

The  insulation  business was sold on February 28,  1997,  for $27.1  million in
cash. Due to the  transition in ownership,  sales slipped by 14.6 percent to $27
million  resulting in a loss for the quarter of $0.6 million.  Year to date, the
operating profit was $0.9 million.

Corporate  expenses were up $2.2 million for the second quarter and $4.8 million
year to date due to  accrued  long-term  incentive  plan  costs  and  consulting
expenses for refining strategic planning and introducing  economic profit. These
expenditures  are intended to accelerate the company's  profitable  growth.  Net
interest increased slightly due to the share repurchase initiatives.

The provision for income taxes was 36.8 percent of pretax income for the quarter
and year to date,  compared  with  37.3  percent  for both  prior-year  periods.
Changes in the comparative year-to-year effective rates resulted from variations
in the relative amounts of tax exempt income.

From time to time, the company may publish  forward-looking  statements relating
to such  matters  as  anticipated  financial  performance,  business  prospects,
technological  developments,  new products,  research and development activities
and  similar  matters.  The  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995
provides a safe harbor for forward-looking  statements.  In order to comply with
the terms of the safe harbor,  the company notes that a variety of factors could
cause the company's actual results and experience to differ  materially from the
anticipated   results  or  other   expectations   expressed  in  the   company's
forward-looking  statements.  The risks and  uncertainties  that may  affect the
operations,  performance,  development  and  results of the  company's  business
include  without  limitation  the  following:  (a) the  uncertainty  of  general
business and economic  conditions,  particularly the potential for a slowdown in
nonresidential  construction  awards;  (b)  the  ability  to  achieve  strategic
initiatives,  including  but not limited to the ability to achieve  sales growth
across the business segments through a combination of increased  pricing,  sales
force, and new products and improved customer service.



Page 10

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION




Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits are listed on the Index to Exhibits (page 12).

(b) There were no reports on Form 8-K for the three  months  ended  February 28,
    1997.



                                                                         Page 11


                                   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.


                                            NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. 
                                                      REGISTRANT


DATE    April 14, 1997                                 /s/ David Levy
                                                       DAVID LEVY
                                       EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION
                                                        AND COUNSEL



DATE    April 14, 1997                                 /s/ Brock Hattox 
                                                       BROCK HATTOX
                                              EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



Page 12


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS




EXHIBIT 11       Computation of Net Income per Share of                      13
                 Common Stock

EXHIBIT 27       Financial Data Schedules                                    14