CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




We have issued our report dated February 17, 1999, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report of Healthcare
Services Group, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statements (Forms S-8 No. 2-95092 and No.2-99215) and
in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.33-35915) pertaining to the Incentive
Stock Option Plan and the Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of Healthcare Services
Group, Inc. and in the related prospectuses of our report dated February 17,
1999.




/s/ Grant Thornton, LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
March 15, 1999