UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


             [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2004
                           Commission File No. 0-21886


                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Maryland                              52-0812977
         (State or other jurisdiction of                 (IRS Employer
         incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

             4724 SW Macadam Avenue
                Portland, Oregon                             97239
    (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

                                 (503) 220-0988
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ X ]

Number of shares of common  stock,  $.01 par value,  outstanding  at October 29,
2004 was 5,740,692 shares.






                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

                                      INDEX

Part I - Financial Information                                            Page
                                                                          ----

     Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

             Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2004 and
             December 31, 2003................................................3

             Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months
             Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003................................4

             Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine Months
             Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003................................5

             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months
             Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003................................6

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................7

     Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
             Financial Condition and Results of
             Operations......................................................11

     Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About
             Market Risk.....................................................19

     Item 4. Controls and Procedures.........................................19


Part II - Other Information

     Item 2. Changes in  Securities,  Use of Proceeds  and Issuer
             Purchases of Equity Securities..................................20

     Item 6. Exhibits........................................................20


Signatures   ................................................................21


Exhibit Index................................................................22





                         Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements

                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)



                                                     September 30,  December 31,
                                                        2004          2003
                                                     ------------  ------------
 ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                               $10,009     $ 7,785
   Marketable securities                                     4,503          --
   Trade accounts receivable, net                           30,523      18,481
   Prepaid expenses and other                                1,243         958
   Deferred income taxes                                     5,168       2,196
                                                           -------     -------

     Total current assets                                   51,446      29,420

Goodwill, net                                               21,738      18,749
Intangibles, net                                                30          13
Property and equipment, net                                  4,439       3,367
Restricted marketable securities and workers' compensation
   deposits                                                  1,775       1,647
Deferred income taxes                                          758       1,041
Other assets                                                   399         436
                                                           -------     -------

                                                           $80,585     $54,673
                                                           -------     -------

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Current portion of long-term debt                       $   348     $    88
   Income taxes payable                                      2,685          --
   Accounts payable                                            430         727
   Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits      23,829      13,881
   Workers' compensation claims liabilities                  4,977       3,886
   Safety incentives liability                               4,534       2,007
   Other accrued liabilities                                   606         361
                                                           -------     -------

     Total current liabilities                              37,409      20,950

Long-term debt, net of current portion                       1,478         400
Customer deposits                                              501         455
Long-term workers' compensation claims liabilities           4,576       1,031
Other long-term liabilities                                     --          45
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback                          1,067       1,158

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,500 shares authorized,
     5,740 and 5,701 shares issued and outstanding              62          62
   Additional paid-in capital                                3,100       2,903
   Employee loan                                                --        (107)
   Other comprehensive loss                                   (278)         --
   Retained earnings                                        32,670      27,776
                                                           -------     -------

                                                            35,554      30,634
                                                           -------     -------

                                                           $80,585     $54,673
                                                           -------     -------



                                      -3-

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




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                            September 30,
                                                        --------------------
                                                         2004         2003
                                                        -------      -------
Revenues:
   Staffing services                                    $35,673      $26,727
   Professional employer service fees                    19,006        8,046
                                                        -------      -------

                                                         54,679       34,773
                                                        -------      -------

Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                                  26,436       19,740
   Payroll taxes and benefits                            11,376        6,181
   Workers' compensation                                  6,094        2,622
                                                        -------      -------

                                                         43,906       28,543
                                                        -------      -------

     Gross margin                                        10,773        6,230

Selling, general and administrative expenses              6,404        4,461
Depreciation and amortization                               257          256
                                                        -------      -------

     Income from operations                               4,112        1,513
                                                        -------      -------

Other income (expense):
   Interest expense                                         (22)         (55)
   Interest income                                           95           13
   Other, net                                                --          (20)
                                                        -------      -------

                                                             73          (62)
                                                        -------      -------

Income before provision for income taxes                  4,185        1,451
Provision for income taxes                                1,737          508
                                                        -------      -------

     Net income                                         $ 2,448      $   943
                                                        =======      =======

Basic earnings per share                                $   .43      $   .17
                                                        =======      =======

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding       5,739        5,645
                                                        =======      =======

Diluted earnings per share                              $   .40      $   .16
                                                        =======      =======

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding     6,144        5,927
                                                        =======      =======


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

                                      -4-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                     ------------------------
                                                        2004         2003
                                                     -----------  -----------
Revenues:
   Staffing services                                   $ 91,197     $ 69,883
   Professional employer service fees                    51,796       16,189
                                                       --------     --------

                                                        142,993       86,072
                                                       --------     --------

Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                                  67,307       51,617
   Payroll taxes and benefits                            33,556       14,371
   Workers' compensation                                 15,774        6,029
                                                       --------     --------

                                                        116,637       72,017
                                                       --------     --------

     Gross margin                                        26,356       14,055

Selling, general and administrative expenses             17,637       11,926
Depreciation and amortization                               752          807
                                                       --------     --------

     Income from operations                               7,967        1,322
                                                       --------     --------

Other income (expense) :
   Interest expense                                         (77)        (233)
   Interest income                                          177           69
   Other, net                                                32           28
                                                       --------     --------

                                                            132         (136)
                                                       --------     --------

Income before provision for income taxes                  8,099        1,186
Provision for income taxes                                3,205          419
                                                       --------     --------

     Net income                                        $  4,894     $    767
                                                       ========     ========

Basic earnings per share                               $    .86     $    .13
                                                       ========     ========

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding       5,720        5,700
                                                       ========     ========

Diluted earnings per share                             $    .80     $    .13
                                                       ========     ========

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding     6,140        5,805
                                                       ========     ========



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

                                      -5-





                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)





                                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                                      September 30,
                                                                   -------------------
                                                                      2004       2003
                                                                   --------    -------
                                                                         
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                      $  4,894    $   767
   Reconciliations of net income to net cash provided by
     (used in) operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                     752        807
      Gain on sales of marketable securities                             --        (48)
      Gain recognized on sale and leaseback                             (91)       (31)
      Deferred income taxes                                          (2,689)       784
   Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
     Income taxes receivable                                             --      1,923
     Trade accounts receivable, net                                 (12,056)    (7,092)
     Prepaid expenses and other                                        (285)      (709)
     Income taxes payable                                             2,853         --
     Accounts payable                                                  (297)       (53)
     Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits              9,948      8,036
     Other accrued liabilities                                          245         21
     Workers' compensation claims liabilities                         4,636     (2,170)
     Safety incentives liability                                      2,527        275
     Customer deposits and other assets, net                             83        586
     Other long-term liabilities                                        (45)      (770)
                                                                   --------    -------
     Net cash provided by operating activities                       10,475      2,326
                                                                   --------    -------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Cash paid for acquisition, including other direct costs           (3,044)        --
   Proceeds from sale and leaseback of buildings                         --      2,338
   Purchase of marketable securities                                 (4,781)        --
   Purchase of equipment, net of amounts purchased in acquisition    (1,801)      (188)
   Proceeds from maturities of restricted marketable securities       1,463      4,361
   Proceeds from sales of restricted marketable securities               --      2,272
   Purchase of restricted marketable securities                      (1,591)    (6,362)
                                                                   --------    -------
     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities             (9,754)     2,421
                                                                   --------    -------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from issuance of debt                                     1,475         --
   Proceeds from credit-line borrowings                                 148     38,750
   Payments on credit-line borrowings                                  (148)   (42,263)
   Payments on long-term debt                                          (137)      (434)
   Repurchase of common stock                                            --       (446)
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options                              165         --
                                                                   --------    -------
     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities              1,503     (4,393)
                                                                   --------    -------
     Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                        2,224        354

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                        7,785         96
                                                                   --------    -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                           $ 10,009    $   450
                                                                   --------    -------


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


                                      -6-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements

      The accompanying  consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have
been prepared by Barrett Business Services,  Inc.  ("Barrett" or the "Company"),
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain  information  and  note  disclosures  typically  included  in  financial
statements prepared in accordance with accounting  principles generally accepted
in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted  pursuant to such
rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial
statements  include  all  adjustments,   consisting  only  of  normal  recurring
adjustments,  necessary  for a fair  statement  of the  results  for the interim
periods  presented.  The preparation of financial  statements in conformity with
generally accepted  accounting  principles  ("GAAP") requires management to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the amounts  reported in the  financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates
and  assumptions.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  should  be  read in
conjunction with the audited financial  statements and notes thereto included in
the Company's  2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K at pages F1 - F26. The results of
operations for an interim period are not  necessarily  indicative of the results
of operations for a full year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified
to conform with the current year  presentation.  Such  reclassifications  had no
impact on gross margin, net income or stockholders' equity.

      During  May 2004,  the  Company  formed a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  which
acquired an aircraft.  The subsidiary incurred debt of $1,475,000 to finance the
purchase of the aircraft.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include the
accounts of the  subsidiary,  after  elimination  of  intercompany  accounts and
transactions.

      Barrett, a Maryland corporation, is engaged in providing both staffing and
professional  employer  services to a diversified  group of customers  through a
network of branch offices  throughout  Oregon,  Washington,  Idaho,  California,
Arizona, Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. Staffing services are engaged by
customers  to  meet  short-term  and  long-term  personnel  needs.  Professional
employer  services ("PEO") are normally used by organizations to satisfy ongoing
human resource  management needs and typically  involve contracts with a minimum
term of one year, renewable annually,  which cover all employees at a particular
work site.

      Certain prior period  amounts have been  reclassified  to conform with the
current period presentation.  Such  reclassifications had no impact on operating
results or stockholders' equity.


Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period
except those that resulted from  investments by or  distributions to a company's
stockholders.  Other comprehensive  income (loss) refers to revenues,  expenses,
gains and  losses  that  under  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  are
included in comprehensive  income (loss),  but excluded from net income as these
amounts  are  recorded  directly  as  an  adjustment  to  stockholders'  equity.
Barrett's other  comprehensive  income (loss) is comprised of unrealized holding
gains and losses on its publicly traded marketable  securities,  net of realized
gains included in net income.

                                      -7-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


Note 3 - Acquisition

      Effective  January 1, 2004, the Company  acquired certain assets of Skills
Resource  Training Center ("SRTC"),  a staffing services company with offices in
Central Washington,  Eastern Oregon and Southern Idaho. The acquisition provides
the Company with the  opportunity  to  geographically  expand and  diversify its
business,   particularly  in  the  agricultural,  food  packing  and  processing
industries.  The Company paid  $3,000,000 in cash for the assets of SRTC and the
selling  shareholders'  noncompete  agreements and agreed to issue up to 135,731
shares of its common stock ("Earnout Shares"), with the actual number of Earnout
Shares to be issued  based upon the level of financial  performance  achieved by
the SRTC offices during calendar 2004. The transaction resulted in $2,989,000 of
goodwill  (including  $44,000  for   acquisition-related   costs),   $40,000  of
intangible assets and $15,000 of fixed assets. The Company's consolidated income
statements  for the  three and  nine-month  periods  ended  September  30,  2004
includes SRTC's results of operations since January 1, 2004.


Note 4 - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

      Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number
of common  shares  outstanding  during the period.  Diluted  earnings  per share
reflect the  potential  effects of the exercise of  outstanding  stock  options.
Basic and diluted shares outstanding are summarized as follows:






                                                     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,           September 30,
                                                   ---------------------   ---------------------
                                                      2004        2003        2004        2003
                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

                                                                           
Weighted average number of basic shares
   outstanding                                     5,738,702   5,644,946   5,719,290   5,700,366

Stock option plan shares to be issued at prices
   ranging from $1.45 to $17.75 per share            582,963     643,379     597,252     572,308

Less:   Assumed purchase at average market
        price during the period using proceeds
        received upon exercise of options and
        purchase of stock, and using tax
        benefits of compensation due to
        premature dispositions                      (177,643)   (360,995)   (176,461)   (467,292)
                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

Weighted average number of diluted shares
   outstanding                                     6,144,022   5,927,330   6,140,081   5,805,382
                                                   =========   =========   =========   =========




                                      -8-



                        BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 5 - Stock Incentive Plans

      The Company's 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2003 Plan"),  which provides
for stock-based awards to Company employees,  non-employee directors and outside
consultants  or advisors,  was  approved by  shareholders  on May 14,  2003.  No
options  have been  issued to outside  consultants  or  advisors.  The number of
shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan is 400,000.  No
new grants of stock options may be made under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive
Plan (the "1993 Plan"). At September 30, 2004, there were option awards covering
376,423 shares  outstanding  under the 1993 Plan,  which, to the extent they are
terminated  unexercised,  will be  carried  over  to the  2003  Plan  as  shares
authorized  to be issued  under the 2003 Plan.  Outstanding  options  under both
plans generally become exercisable in four equal annual  installments  beginning
one year after the date of grant and  expire ten years  after the date of grant.
The  exercise  price of incentive  stock  options must not be less than the fair
market value of the Company's stock on the date of grant.

      The following table summarizes options activity in 2004:

                                                 Number
                                               of Options    Grant Prices
                                                 -------   ----------------
    Outstanding at December 31, 2003             585,459   $ 1.45 to $17.75

    Options granted                               51,597   $13.23 to $13.91
    Options exercised                            (47,737)  $ 2.80 to $ 5.91
    Options cancelled or expired                 (10,750)  $ 3.02 to $13.23
                                                 -------

    Outstanding at September 30, 2004            578,569   $ 1.45 to $17.75
                                                 =======

    Exercisable at September 30, 2004            211,406
                                                 =======

    Available for grant at September 30, 2004    218,070
                                                 =======


Note 6 - Stock Option Compensation

      The Company  applies APB  Opinion  No. 25 and related  interpretations  in
accounting for its stock incentive plan.  Accordingly,  no compensation  expense
has been  recognized  for its stock option grants issued at market price because
the exercise  price of the Company's  employee  stock options  equals the market
price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant.

      If compensation  expense for the Company's  stock-based  compensation plan
had been determined  based on the fair market value at the grant date for awards
under the 2003 Plan consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation," the Company's net loss and loss per share would have
been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:


                                      -9-



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 6 - Stock Option Compensation (Continued)




                                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                                 September 30,        September 30,
                                               ------------------    -----------------
                                                2004        2003      2004      2003
                                               -------     ------    ------     ------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                    
Net income, as reported                         $2,448     $  943    $4,894     $  767
Add back compensation expense recognized
   under APB No. 25                                 --         --        --         --
Deduct: Total stock-based  compensation
   expense determined under fair value based
   method for all awards, net of related tax
   effects                                         (56)       (47)     (154)      (125)
                                                ------     ------    ------     ------
Net income, pro forma                           $2,392     $  896    $4,740     $  642
                                                ======     ======    ======     ======
Basic income per share, as reported             $  .43     $  .17    $  .86     $  .13
Basic income per share, pro forma                  .42        .16       .83        .11
Diluted income per share, as reported              .40        .16       .80        .13
Diluted income per share, pro forma                .39        .15       .77        .11




      The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 for  providing pro forma  disclosures
for the  periods  presented  above are not  likely to be  representative  of the
effects on reported  net income for future  periods  because  options  vest over
several years and additional awards generally are made each year.


Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity

      On August 2, 2004, pursuant to the approval of a majority of the Company's
independent  directors,  the Company's  President and Chief  Executive  Officer,
William W.  Sherertz,  paid in full certain  obligations  owed to the Company by
tendering to the Company for  cancellation and retirement 8,095 shares of common
stock valued at $16.835 per share.  This transaction  discharged Mr.  Sherertz's
obligations to the Company totaling $136,274,  including an employee loan in the
amount of $107,000  reflected  on the  Company's  balance  sheet at December 31,
2003.



                                      -10-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

Results of Operations

      The  following   table  sets  forth  the  percentages  of  total  revenues
represented  by  selected  items in the  Company's  Consolidated  Statements  of
Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.


                                                Percentage of Total Revenues
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,        September 30,
                                            --------------      --------------
                                             2004     2003       2004     2003
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----
Revenues:
   Staffing services                         65.2 %   76.9 %     63.8 %   81.2 %
   Professional employer service fees        34.8     23.1       36.2     18.8
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

                                            100.0    100.0      100.0    100.0

                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs                      48.4     56.8       47.1     60.0
   Payroll taxes and benefits                20.8     17.8       23.5     16.7
   Workers' compensation                     11.1      7.5       11.0      7.0
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

     Total cost of revenues                  80.3     82.1       81.6     83.7
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

Gross margin                                 19.7     17.9       18.4     16.3

Selling, general and administrative expenses 11.7     12.8       12.3     13.8
Depreciation and amortization                 0.5      0.7        0.5      0.9
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

Income from operations                        7.5      4.4        5.6      1.6

Other income (expense)                        0.2     (0.2)       0.1     (0.2)
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

Pretax income                                 7.7      4.2        5.7      1.4

Provision for income taxes                    3.2      1.5        2.3      0.5
                                            -----    -----      -----    -----

     Net income                               4.5 %    2.7 %      3.4 %    0.9 %
                                            =====    =====      =====    =====


      The Company  changed its reporting of PEO revenues from a gross basis to a
net basis in 2002 because it was determined that the Company was not the primary
obligor for the  services  provided by employees  pursuant to its PEO  contracts
with its customers.  Gross revenue information,  although not in accordance with
GAAP, is presented below because  management  believes such  information is more
informative as to the level of the Company's  business  activity and more useful
in managing its operations.

                                      -11-



                        BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

                                      Unaudited               Unaudited
                                  Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)                      September 30,            September 30,
                                  -------------------     --------------------
                                    2004       2003         2004        2003
                                  --------   --------     --------    --------
Revenues:
   Staffing services              $ 35,673   $ 26,727     $ 91,197    $ 69,883
   Professional employer services  109,435     46,886      299,139      95,767
                                  --------   --------     --------    --------

     Total revenues                145,108     73,613      390,336     165,650
                                  --------   --------     --------    --------

Cost of revenues:
   Direct payroll costs            115,580     57,977      311,337     130,592
   Payroll taxes and benefits       11,376      6,181       33,555      14,371
   Workers' compensation             7,379      3,225       19,088       6,632
                                  --------   --------     --------    --------

     Total cost of revenues        134,335     67,383      363,980     151,595
                                  --------   --------     --------    --------

Gross margin                      $ 10,773   $  6,230     $ 26,356    $ 14,055
                                  ========   ========     ========    ========


      A reconciliation  of non-GAAP gross PEO revenues to net PEO revenues is as
follows:




                                                       Unaudited
                                             Three Months Ended September 30,
                           ----------------------------------------------------------------
                              Gross Revenue                                Net Revenue
(in thousands)               Reporting Method      Reclassification      Reporting Method
                           -------------------   --------------------   -------------------
                             2004       2003        2004       2003       2004      2003
                           --------   --------   ---------- ---------   --------- ---------
                                                                 
Revenues:
   Staffing services       $ 35,673   $ 26,727    $     --   $     --   $ 35,673   $ 26,727
   Professional employer
     services               109,435     46,886     (90,429)   (38,840)    19,006      8,046
                           --------   --------    --------   --------   --------   --------
     Total revenues        $145,108   $ 73,613    $(90,429)  $(38,840)  $ 54,679   $ 34,773
                           ========   ========    ========   ========   ========   ========

Cost of revenues:          $134,335   $ 67,383    $(90,429)  $(38,840)  $ 43,906   $ 28,543
                           ========   ========    ========   ========   ========   ========






                                      -12-



                        BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of perations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)



                                                         Unaudited
                                              Nine Months Ended September 30,
                           -----------------------------------------------------------------
                             Gross Revenue                                   Net Revenue
(in thousands)              Reporting Method        Reclassification      Reporting Method
                           -------------------    --------------------   -------------------
                             2004      2003         2004       2003        2004       2003
                           --------   --------    ---------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                  
Revenues:
   Staffing services       $ 91,197   $ 69,883    $      --   $     --   $ 91,197   $ 69,883
   Professional employer
     services               299,139     95,767     (247,343)   (79,578)    51,796     16,189
                           --------   --------    ---------   --------   --------   --------
     Total revenues        $390,336   $165,650    $(247,343)  $(79,578)  $142,993   $ 86,072
                           ========   ========    =========   ========   ========   ========

Cost of revenues:          $363,980   $151,595    $(247,343)  $(79,578)  $116,637   $ 72,017
                           ========   ========    =========   ========   ========   ========




Three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

      Net  income for the third  quarter  of 2004  amounted  to  $2,448,000,  an
improvement  of $1,505,000  over net income of $943,000 for the third quarter of
2003. The  improvement for the third quarter of 2004 was primarily due to higher
gross margin dollars as a result of significant growth in professional  employer
("PEO")  services  business,  partially  offset by higher  selling,  general and
administrative expenses. The diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of
2004 was $.40  compared to $.16 for the  comparable  2003 period.  The Company's
improved  operating  results  continue  to  reflect,  in part,  the  competitive
advantage  of  offering  a broad  array of human  resource  management  services
through its PEO arrangements. This competitive advantage has enabled the Company
to significantly increase its business opportunities in California.  The Company
expects  this  favorable  trend  to  continue  into  the   foreseeable   future,
particularly in California.

      Revenues for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $54.7 million,  an increase
of  approximately  $19.9  million or 57.2% over the $34.8  million for the third
quarter of 2003. The increase in revenues primarily reflects  significant growth
in the Company's PEO service fee revenue,  combined with an increase in staffing
services revenue.

      PEO service fee revenue  increased  approximately  $11.0 million or 136.2%
primarily due to increased demand for the Company's broad array of competitively
priced  human  resource  management  services  that  satisfy  customers'  needs.
Management  believes that the favorable  trend in PEO revenues will continue for
the foreseeable future.


                                      -13-



                        BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Continued)

      Staffing  services revenue increased  approximately  $8.9 million or 33.5%
over the comparable 2003 quarter  primarily due to the Company's  acquisition of
SRTC  effective  January 1, 2004,  as the  Company's  internal  growth  rate for
staffing  services revenue was flat compared to a year ago.  Management  expects
demand for the Company's  staffing  services  will  continue to reflect  overall
economic conditions in its market areas.

      Gross  margin for the third  quarter of 2004 totaled  approximately  $10.8
million,  which  represented an increase of $4.5 million or 72.9% over the third
quarter of 2003,  primarily  due to the 57.2%  increase in  revenues.  The gross
margin percent increased from 17.9% of revenues for the third quarter of 2003 to
19.7% for the third quarter of 2004. The increase in the gross margin percentage
was due to lower direct  payroll  costs,  offset in part by higher payroll taxes
and  benefits  and higher  workers'  compensation  expense,  all  expressed as a
percent of revenues.  The decline in direct  payroll  costs,  as a percentage of
revenues,  from  56.8%  for the  third  quarter  of 2003 to 48.4%  for the third
quarter  of 2004  reflects  the shift in the  relative  mix of  services  to the
Company's  customer  base  and the  effect  of each  customer's  unique  mark-up
percent.  The  increase  in  payroll  taxes and  benefits,  as a  percentage  of
revenues,  from  17.8%  for the  third  quarter  of 2003 to 20.8%  for the third
quarter of 2004,  was due in part to higher  statutory  state  unemployment  tax
rates in various  states in which the Company  operates as compared to the third
quarter of 2003, as well as to the effect of significant growth in PEO services.

      Workers'  compensation  expense for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $6.1
million,  which  compares  to $2.6  million for the third  quarter of 2003.  The
increase in workers'  compensation  expense was  generally  due to an  increased
provision for the future estimated costs of existing  claims,  as well as to the
effect from increased  business activity in California,  where injury claims are
more costly as compared to other states in which the Company operates.

      Selling,  general  and  administrative  ("SG&A")  expenses  for the  third
quarter of 2004  amounted to  approximately  $6.4  million,  an increase of $1.9
million or 43.6% over the third  quarter of 2003.  The  increase  over the third
quarter of 2003 was  primarily  attributable  to increases in branch  management
personnel  and  related  expenses  as a result of growth  in the  Company's  PEO
business and, to a lesser extent, the incremental SG&A expenses  associated with
the SRTC  acquisition.  SG&A expenses,  as a percent of revenues,  declined from
12.8% in the third quarter of 2003 to 11.7% in the third quarter of 2004.


Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

      Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $4,894,000, an
improvement of $4,127,000  over net income of $767,000 for the first nine months
of 2003. The  improvement for the first nine months of 2004 was primarily due to
increased  gross  margin  dollars  as a  result  of  significant  growth  in PEO
business,  partially  offset by higher SG&A expenses.  The diluted  earnings per
share for the first nine months of 2004 was $.80 as compared to diluted earnings
per share of $.13 for the same 2003 period. The Company's

                                      -14-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Continued)

improved  operating results for the first nine months of 2004 over the same 2003
period  reflect,  in part,  the same  competitive  advantage  generated from its
ability to offer a broad array of human resource management services.

      Revenues  for the nine months  ended  September  30, 2004  totaled  $143.0
million,  an increase  of  approximately  $56.9  million or 66.1% over the $86.1
million for the first nine months of 2003.  The  increase in revenues  primarily
reflects  significant growth in the Company's PEO service fee revenue,  combined
with an increase in staffing services revenue.

      PEO service fee revenue  increased  approximately  $35.6 million or 219.9%
primarily due to increased demand for the Company's broad array of competitively
priced human resource management services that satisfy customers' needs.

      Staffing services revenue increased  approximately  $21.3 million or 30.5%
primarily due to the Company's acquisition of SRTC effective January 1, 2004 and
to improved  economic  conditions  for such services in the majority of areas in
which the Company operates. Operations of SRTC accounted for approximately $18.1
million or 85.0% of the increase.

      Gross  margin  for the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  2004  totaled
approximately  $26.4 million,  which represented an increase of $12.3 million or
87.5% over the similar  period of 2003,  primarily due to the 66.1%  increase in
revenues.  The gross margin percent increased to 18.4% of revenues for the first
nine months of 2004, up from 16.3% for the similar  period of 2003. The increase
in the gross margin percentage was due to lower direct payroll costs,  offset in
part by higher  payroll  taxes and  benefits  and higher  workers'  compensation
expense expressed as a percent of revenues. The decline in direct payroll costs,
as a  percentage  of  revenues,  from 60.0% for the first nine months of 2003 to
47.1% for the first  nine  months  of 2004  reflects  the  current  mix  between
staffing and PEO services provided to the Company's customer base and the effect
of the unique mark-up  percent for each customer.  The increase in payroll taxes
and benefits, as a percentage of revenues,  from 16.7% for the first nine months
of 2003 to 23.5% for the first  nine  months of 2004,  was due in part to higher
statutory  state  unemployment  tax rates in various states in which the Company
operates as compared to the first nine months of 2003,  as well as to the effect
of  significant  growth in PEO  services,  for which  payroll taxes and benefits
represent a higher percentage of revenues.

      Workers' compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
totaled $15.8 million,  which compares to $6.0 million for the first nine months
of 2003. The increase in workers'  compensation  expense was generally due to an
increased provision for the future estimated costs of existing claims and to the
effect from increased  business  activity in California,  which has higher claim
costs as compared to other states in which the Company operates.

                                      -15-




                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Continued)

      SG&A  expenses for the nine months ended  September  30, 2004  amounted to
approximately $17.6 million, an increase of $5.7 million or 47.9% over the first
nine  months  of 2003.  The  increase  over the  first  nine  months of 2003 was
primarily  attributable to increases in branch management  personnel and related
expenses as a result of growth in the  Company's  PEO business  and, to a lesser
extent, the incremental SG&A expenses associated with the SRTC acquisition. SG&A
expenses,  as a percent of net  revenues,  declined from 13.8% in the first nine
months of 2003 to 12.3% in the first nine months of 2004.

Factors Affecting Quarterly Results

      The Company has historically  experienced significant  fluctuations in its
quarterly  operating  results and expects such  fluctuations  to continue in the
future. The Company's operating results may fluctuate due to a number of factors
such as seasonality,  wage limits on statutory payroll taxes,  claims experience
for workers' compensation, demand and competition for the Company's services and
the effect of  acquisitions.  The Company's  revenue  levels may fluctuate  from
quarter to quarter  primarily due to the impact of  seasonality  on its staffing
services  business  and on certain of its PEO clients in the  agriculture,  food
processing and forest products-related  industries. As a result, the Company may
have  greater  revenues  and net income in the third and fourth  quarters of its
fiscal  year.  Payroll  taxes and  benefits  fluctuate  with the level of direct
payroll costs, but tend to represent a smaller percentage of revenues and direct
payroll later in the Company's  fiscal year as federal and state  statutory wage
limits  for  unemployment  and  social  security  taxes  are  exceeded  by  some
employees.  Workers'  compensation  expense  varies with both the  frequency and
severity of workplace  injury claims reported during a quarter and the estimated
future costs of such claims.  Adverse loss  development  of prior period  claims
during  a  subsequent  quarter  may also  contribute  to the  volatility  in the
Company's estimated workers' compensation expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The  Company's  cash  position  of  $10,009,000  at  September  30,  2004,
increased by $2,224,000 over December 31, 2003, which compares to an increase of
$354,000 for the  comparable  period in 2003.  The increase in cash at September
30, 2004,  as compared to December 31, 2003,  was primarily due to net income of
$4,894,000 and increases in accrued payroll,  payroll taxes and related benefits
and increases in workers'  compensation  claim liabilities and safety incentives
liabilities,  offset  in  part  by  excess  cash  used  to  purchase  marketable
securities of $4,781,000 for investment purposes,  cash used for the acquisition
of SRTC of $3,044,000, and an increase in trade accounts receivable.

      Net cash  provided  by  operating  activities  for the nine  months  ended
September 30, 2004 amounted to $10,475,000,  as compared to net cash provided by
operating  activities of $2,326,000 for the comparable 2003 period. For the nine
months  ended  September  30,  2004,  cash flow was  provided  by net  income of
$4,894,000, together with increases in accrued payroll


                                      -16-



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

and related benefits of $9,948,000 and increases in workers' compensation claims
liabilities and safety incentives  liabilities  totaling  $7,163,000,  offset in
part by an increase of $12,056,000 in trade accounts receivable.

      Net cash used in  investing  activities  totaled  $9,754,000  for the nine
months  ended  September  30, 2004,  compared to net cash  provided by investing
activities of $2,421,000 for the similar 2003 period.  For the 2004 period,  the
principal  uses of cash for investing  activities  were  purchases of marketable
securities for investment  purposes of $4,781,000,  the  acquisition of SRTC and
related costs  totaling  $3,044,000,  purchases of equipment of  $1,801,000  and
$1,591,000 of net purchases of restricted marketable securities,  offset in part
by net proceeds  totaling  $1,463,000 from  maturities of restricted  marketable
securities.  The transactions related to restricted  marketable  securities were
scheduled  maturities and the related  replacement of such  securities  held for
workers'  compensation  surety deposit  purposes.  The Company  presently has no
material long-term capital commitments.

      Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2004, was $1,503,000 compared to net cash used in financing
activities of $4,393,000 for the similar 2003 period. For the 2004 period, the
principal source of cash for financing activities was $1,475,000 of debt
incurred in connection with the Company's purchase of an aircraft for use in
management's travel to California to oversee its growth in business.

      The Company's business strategy continues to focus on growth through the
expansion of operations at existing offices, together with the selective
acquisition of additional personnel-related businesses, both in its existing
markets and other strategic geographic markets. The Company periodically
evaluates proposals for various acquisition opportunities, but there can be no
assurance that any additional transactions will be consummated. As disclosed in
Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report, the
Company acquired certain assets of Skills Resource Training Center ("SRTC"), a
staffing services company headquartered in Central Washington state, effective
January 1, 2004. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid
$3,000,000 in cash and agreed to issue up to 135,731 shares of its common stock,
with the actual number of shares to be issued based upon the level of financial
performance achieved by the SRTC offices during calendar year 2004.

      The Company entered into a new Credit Agreement (the "New Credit
Agreement") with its principal bank effective March 31, 2004. The New Credit
Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $6.0 million, which
includes a subfeature under the line of credit for standby letters of credit for
not more than $4.0 million. The interest rate on advances, if any, will be, at
the Company's discretion, either (i) equal to the prime rate or (ii) LIBOR plus
1.50%. The New Credit Agreement expires July 1, 2005.

      The revolving credit facility is collateralized by the Company's assets,
including, without limitation, its accounts receivable, equipment, intellectual
property and bank deposits, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty.
Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain
compliance with the following financial covenants: (1) a Current Ratio not less
than 1.10 to 1.0 with "Current Ratio" defined as total current assets divided by
total current

                                      -17-



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

liabilities; (2) Tangible Net Worth not less than $8 million, determined at each
fiscal  quarter end, with "Tangible Net Worth" defined as the aggregate of total
stockholders'  equity plus  subordinated  debt less any intangible  assets;  (3)
Total  Liabilities  divided by Tangible  Net Worth not greater than 5.00 to 1.0,
determined at each fiscal quarter end, with "Total  Liabilities"  defined as the
aggregate of current liabilities and non-current liabilities,  less subordinated
debt and the deferred gain on the Company's sale and leaseback transaction,  and
with "Tangible Net Worth" as defined  above;  and (4) net income after taxes not
less than $1.00 on an annual  basis,  determined as of each fiscal year end, and
pre-tax profit not less than $1.00 on a quarterly  basis,  determined as of each
fiscal  quarter  end.  The  Company  was in  compliance  with all  covenants  at
September 30, 2004.

      Management expects that current liquid assets, the funds anticipated to be
generated from  operations,  and credit available under the New Credit Agreement
and other potential sources of financing, will be sufficient in the aggregate to
fund the Company's working capital needs for the foreseeable future.

Stock Repurchase Program

      During  1999,  the  Company's  board  of  directors   authorized  a  stock
repurchase  program to repurchase common shares from time to time in open market
purchases.  Since inception, the board of directors has approved seven increases
in the total number of shares or dollars  authorized to be repurchased under the
program.  As  of  November  11,  2004,  the  repurchase  program  had  remaining
authorized availability of $443,800 for the repurchase of additional shares. The
Company made no share  repurchases  during the first nine months of 2004.  Since
the inception of the repurchase  program through  November 11, 2004, the Company
has  repurchased  2,053,555  shares for an aggregate  price of $9,187,200 and an
average  price of $4.47  per  share.  Management  anticipates  that the  capital
necessary to continue this program will be provided by existing  cash  balances,
cash generated from operations and other available resources.

Inflation

      Inflation  generally  has not been a  significant  factor in the Company's
operations  during the  periods  discussed  above.  The  Company  has taken into
account  the  impact  of  escalating  medical  and other  costs in  establishing
reserves for future expenses for self-insured workers' compensation claims.

Forward-Looking Information

      Statements in this report which are not  historical  in nature,  including
discussion of economic  conditions  in the Company's  market areas and effect on
revenue growth, the potential for and effect of recent and future  acquisitions,
the effect of changes in the Company's  mix of services on gross margin,  market
conditions for workers' compensation coverage in California, the adequacy of the
Company's  workers'  compensation  reserves and allowance for doubtful accounts,
the effectiveness of the Company's management information systems, and the

                                      -18-



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations (Continued)

Forward-Looking Information (Continued)

availability  of financing  and working  capital to meet the  Company's  funding
requirements,  are forward-looking  statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of  1995.  Such  forward-looking  statements
involve known and unknown risks,  uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry to be
materially  different  from any  future  results,  performance  or  achievements
expressed  or implied by such  forward-looking  statements.  Such  factors  with
respect to the Company  include  difficulties  associated  with  integrating new
customers  and clients into the  Company's  operations,  economic  trends in the
Company's  service areas,  material  deviations  from expected  future  workers'
compensation   claims  experience,   the  effect  of  changes  in  the  workers'
compensation  regulatory  environment  in one or more of the  Company's  primary
markets,  the  availability  of  excess  workers'   compensation   insurance  on
acceptable  terms and  conditions,  the carrying  values of deferred  income tax
assets and  goodwill,  which may be affected by the Company's  future  operating
results,  the  availability  of capital or letters of credit  necessary  to meet
state-mandated  surety deposit requirements for maintaining the Company's status
as a qualified self-insured employer for workers' compensation coverage, and the
availability of and costs  associated with potential  sources of financing.  The
Company  disclaims  any  obligation  to update any such  factors or to  publicly
announce the result of any  revisions to any of the  forward-looking  statements
contained herein to reflect future events or developments.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

      The  Company's  exposure  to market  risk for  changes in  interest  rates
primarily relates to the Company's short-term and long-term debt obligations. As
of September 30, 2004,  the Company had  interest-bearing  debt  obligations  of
approximately $1.8 million,  of which  approximately $1.4 million bears interest
at a variable rate and  approximately  $0.4 million at a fixed rate of interest.
The  variable  rate debt is  comprised  of a $1.475  million note payable with a
10-year term, which bears interest at the three-month  LIBOR rate plus 240 basis
points.  Based on the Company's overall interest exposure at September 30, 2004,
a 100 basis point  increase in market  interest  rates would not have a material
effect on the fair  value of the  Company's  long-term  debt or its  results  of
operations.  As of  September  30,  2004,  the Company had not entered  into any
interest rate instruments to reduce its exposure to interest rate risk.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

      The Company carried out an evaluation,  under the supervision and with the
participation  of  the  Company's  management,  including  the  Company's  Chief
Executive  Officer and Chief  Financial  Officer,  of the  effectiveness  of the
Company's disclosure controls and procedures,  as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation,  the
Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief  Financial  Officer have  concluded that the
Company's  disclosure  controls and  procedures  as of  September  30, 2004 were
effective in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required
to be  disclosed  by the Company in reports  that it files or submits  under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed,  summarized and reported
within the time periods  specified in the Securities  and Exchange  Commission's
rules and forms.

                                      -19-



                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures (Continued)

      There were no changes in the Registrant's  internal control over financial
reporting  that occurred  during the quarter ended  September 30, 2004 that have
materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the
Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


                           Part II - Other Information


Item 2.  Changes in Securities,  Use of Proceeds and Issuer  Purchases of Equity
         Securities

         (e) The following table provides  information  about  reacquisition  of
             common stock by the Company during the quarter ended  September 30,
             2004.




                                                                   Authorized Availability
                                       Total Number of Shares      Remaining at Period End
  Total Number of      Average Price  Purchased as Part of        that May be Used Under the
Shares Reacquired (1)    per Share   Stock Repurchase Program      Stock Repurchase Program


                                                              
     8,095                $16.84                 0                        $443,800




             (1)  Shares  reaquired  by the  Company  during  the  quarter  were
                  tendered to the Company by the  Company's  President and Chief
                  Executive  Officer in full  settlement of certain  obligations
                  owed to the  Company.  Shares  were  valued at the fair market
                  value at the date shares were tendered for cancellation.

             (2)  During 1999,  the  Company's  board of directors  authorized a
                  stock repurchase program to repurchase common shares from time
                  to time in open market purchases.  Since inception,  the board
                  of directors has approved seven  increases in the total number
                  of shares or dollars  authorized to be  repurchased  under the
                  program. Since the inception of the repurchase program through
                  November  11,  2004,  the  Company has  repurchased  2,053,555
                  shares for an  aggregate  price of  $9,187,200  and an average
                  price of $4.47 per share.


Item 6.  Exhibits

         (a) The exhibits filed with this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index
             following the signature page of this Report.


                                      -20-




                                   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.

                                          BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
                                          (Registrant)






Date:  November 11, 2004                  /s/ Michael D. Mulholland
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Michael D. Mulholland
                                          Vice President - Finance
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)



                                      -21-




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit


10.1  Summary of Compensatory Arrangement with William W. Sherertz.

31.1  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13a-14(a).

31.2  Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a-14(a).

32    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.





                                      -22-