Page 75
                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each of the  undersigned  hereby
constitutes  and  appoints  David  Levy  and  Brock  Hattox,  and  each  of them
individually,  his  true  and  lawful  attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of
substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in
his capacity as a director or officer of National Service  Industries,  Inc., to
file a registrant's  annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1998, and any and all amendments  thereto,  with any exhibits  thereto,  and
other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.




                             /s/ James S. Balloun
                             James S. Balloun, Chairman of the Board,
                             President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director



                              /s/ Brock Hattox
                              Brock Hattox, Executive Vice President and
                              Chief Financial Officer



                              /s/ David Levy
                              David Levy, Executive Vice President,
                              Administration and Counsel, and Director



                              /s/ Mark R. Bachmann
                              Mark R. Bachmann, Vice President and Controller
                              (Principal Accounting Officer)






Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 76
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ John L. Clendenin  
                                                         John L. Clendenin








Dated:  November 18, 1998


                                                                         Page 77
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Thomas C. Gallagher
                                                         Thomas C. Gallagher








Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 78
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                        /s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr
                                                        Robert M. Holder, Jr








Dated:  November 18, 1998


                                                                         Page 79
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ James C. Kennedy  
                                                         James C. Kennedy








Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 80
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Bernard Marcus  
                                                         Bernard Marcus








Dated:  November 18, 1998


                                                                         Page 81
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Charles W. McCall  
                                                         Charles W. McCall








Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 82
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ John G. Medlin, Jr
                                                         John G. Medlin, Jr








Dated:  November 18, 1998


                                                                         Page 83
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Samuel A. Nunn  
                                                         Samuel A. Nunn








Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 84
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Herman J. Russell  
                                                         Herman J. Russell








Dated:  November 18, 1998


                                                                         Page 85
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  her true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for her in her name, place, and stead in her capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in the  premises,  as fully to all intents and purposes as
she might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Betty E. Siegel  
                                                         Betty E. Siegel








Dated:  November 18, 1998


Page 86
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                       
                                                                      


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints  David Levy and Brock Hattox,  and each of them  individually,  his
true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact  (with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
1998, and any and all amendments thereto,  with any exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them individually, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  all that said
attorneys-in-fact  or either of them, or their  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                                         /s/ Barrie A. Wigmore  
                                                         Barrie A. Wigmore








Dated:  November 18, 1998