Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in  Registration  Statement  Nos.
333-89037,  333-33580 and 333-50886 of The ServiceMaster  Company on Form S-8 of
our report dated June 23, 2003,  appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of
the ServiceMaster Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan for the year ended December
31, 2002.




/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
June 25, 2003




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