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


                                     FORM 15

 CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(G) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR SUSPENSION OF DUTY TO FILE REPORTS UNDER
       SECTIONS 13 AND 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                         Commission File Number 0-15295


                          NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  4090 SOUTH MEMORIAL PARKWAY, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35815-1502, (256) 883-1140
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  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
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            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)

                                      NONE
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  (Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports
                     under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)

Rule 12g-4(a)(l)(i)        |X|                   Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)        |X|
Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)       |_|                   Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)       |_|
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)        |_|                   Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)        |_|
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)       |_|                   Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)       |_|
                                                 Rule 15d-6                 |_|

Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date:

                                        1
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           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Nichols Research Corporation has caused this certification/notice to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.

                                     Nichols Research Corporation

Date:  November 16, 1999             By: /s/ Chris H. Horgen
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                                        Name:  Chris H. Horgen
                                        Title: Chairman of the Board and
                                               Chief Executive Officer

Instruction: This form is required by Rules 12g-4, 12h-3 and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed. It may be signed by an officer of the registrant, by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed under the signature.