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

                              _____________________

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 13, 2005
                               __________________


                             RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         DELAWARE                   0-22056             86-0746929
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission         (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)          File Number)       Identification No.)


                            9221 East Via de Ventura
                               Scottsdale, Arizona
                                      85258
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (480) 606-3886


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


ITEM 2.02     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

           On September 13, 2005, Rural/Metro Corporation (the "Company") issued
a press release announcing its preliminary unaudited financial results for the
quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. The full text of the Company's
press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c)  Exhibits.

    Exhibit No.                          Description
    -----------                          -----------

        99.1                  Press release, dated September 13, 2005.


           The information in this Form 8-K, including the exhibits, shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities
thereof, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing
under the Exchange Act or under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except
to the extent specifically provided in any such filing.






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                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                                RURAL/METRO CORPORATION


Date:  September 13, 2005                       By: /s/ Michael S. Zarriello
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Michael S. Zarriello
                                                    Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer










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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit No.                   Description
    -----------                   -----------

        99.1          Press release, dated September 13, 2005.
















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