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                                                             EXHIBIT 10(iii)A(9)


                             AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      LONG-TERM ACHIEVEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN



         WHEREAS,  The National Service Industries,  Inc. Long-Term  Achievement
Incentive  Plan (the "Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors (the "Board")
of National Service  Industries,  Inc. ("NSI") and became effective on September
17, 1996, and was approved by stockholders on January 8, 1997; and

         WHEREAS,  paragraph  14(a) of the Plan  permits  the Board to amend the
Plan, subject to certain restrictions set forth therein; and

         WHEREAS,  the Board  desires  to amend the Plan as set forth  herein to
enable a Participant to exchange the payment of an Aspiration  Award for Options
under certain circumstances;

         NOW  THEREFORE,  pursuant to action  taken by the Board of Directors on
April 7, 1999, the Plan is amended,  effective April 7, 1999, by adding,  at the
end of paragraph 7(d) of the Plan, the following:

         Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Committee may permit a Participant
         to surrender all or a portion of an earned Aspiration Award in exchange
         for Options  pursuant to an election and upon terms  established by the
         Committee.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Board has caused this  AMENDMENT  NO. 1 to be
executed on behalf of the Corporation and the Corporation's seal affixed hereto,
this 7th day of April, 1999.



Attest:                                        National Service Industries, Inc.



/s/ Helen D. Haines                        By:/s/ James S. Balloun
    Helen D. Haines, Secretary                    James S. Balloun
                                                  Chairman, President, and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

(CORPORATE SEAL)