<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> Page 39 Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule Quarter Ended November 30, 1997 Pursuant to Section 601(c) of Regulation S-K This schedule contains restated summary financial information extracted from National Service Industries, Inc. consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 1997 and the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended November 30, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 8,001 <SECURITIES> 152,086 <RECEIVABLES> 267,737 <ALLOWANCES> 5,593 <INVENTORY> 198,284 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 710,848 <PP&E> 608,130 <DEPRECIATION> 366,971 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,044,081 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 252,792 <BONDS> 26,442 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 57,919 <OTHER-SE> 574,238 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,044,081 <SALES> 409,518 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 487,584 <CGS> 249,091 <TOTAL-COSTS> 294,239 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 149,661 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,329 <INCOME-PRETAX> 42,355 <INCOME-TAX> 15,687 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,668 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 26,668 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.61 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.60