Exh. 4.3                    THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY
                                 as the Company,
                                       and
                          HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
                                   as Trustee


                          THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                            Dated as of March 2, 1998

             (Supplemental to Indenture Dated as of August 15, 1997)

                           Series 7.10% Notes due 2018

                           Series 7.25% Notes due 2038


         THIRD  SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE  dated as of March 2, 1998  between  The
ServiceMaster  Company, a Delaware  corporation,  as the Company (the "Company")
and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, an Illinois banking  corporation,  as Trustee
(the "Trustee").

         WHEREAS, each of the Company's predecessors,  The ServiceMaster Company
Limited Partnership ("SMCLP") and ServiceMaster  Limited Partnership,  ("SMLP"),
and the Trustee  executed and delivered an Indenture dated as of August 15, 1997
(as  amended by the First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of August 15,  1997
among SMCLP, SMLP and the Trustee and the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as
of  January  1,  1998  between  the  Company  and  the  Trustee,  the  "Original
Indenture")  providing  for the  issuance  from time to time of its  debentures,
notes  or  other   evidences  of   indebtedness  in  one  or  more  series  (the
"Securities"); and

         WHEREAS,  each of SMCLP  and SMLP  has  been  merged  with and into the
Company in a manner permitted by Sections 6.01 of the Original Indenture and the
Company,  as the surviving Person of each such merger,  has succeeded to each of
their  respective  obligations  under the Original  Indenture in accordance with
Section 6.02 of the Original Indenture; and

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture,  the Company
wishes to provide  for the  establishment  of two new  series of its  Securities
known as the 7.10% Notes due March 1, 2018 and the 7.25% Notes due March 1, 2038
(the "2018 Notes" and "2038 Notes",  respectively,  and  collectively,  the "New
Securities"); and

         WHEREAS,  Section 10.01(5) of the Original  Indenture provides that the
Original  Indenture  may be amended  without  the  consent of the holders of the
Securities in order to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any
series or of the coupons  appertaining  to such  Securities  pursuant to Section
2.03 of the Original Indenture; and

         WHEREAS,  all conditions and requirements  necessary to make this Third
Supplemental  Indenture a valid and binding  instrument in  accordance  with its
terms and the terms of the Original Indenture have been satisfied.

         NOW, THEREFORE:

         In  consideration  of the premises and of the mutual  covenants  herein
contained, and in order to provide for payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on all of the  Securities,  according  to their tenor,  the
Company and the Trustee hereby covenant and agree:

         SECTION  1. For all  purposes  of this  Third  Supplemental  Indenture,
except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires,
all  capitalized  terms  used and not  defined  herein  that are  defined in the
Original  Indenture  shall have the  meanings  assigned to them in the  Original
Indenture.

         Section 1.01 of the Original  Indenture is amended and  supplemented as
follows, in each case solely for purposes of the New Securities:

         "Comparable  Treasury Issue" means, in respect of the 2018 Notes or the
2038 Notes, as the case may be, the United States Treasury  security selected by
the  Independent  Investment  Banker as having a maturity most comparable to the
remaining  term of 2018 Notes or the 2038 Notes,  as the case may be, that would
be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial
practice,  in pricing new issues of  corporate  debt  securities  of  comparable
maturity to the remaining term of the 2018 Notes or the 2038 Notes,  as the case
may be.

Page 1

         "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date,
(i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage  of its  principal  amount) on the third
business  day  preceding  such  redemption  date,  as set  forth  in  the  daily
statistical  release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New  York  and  designated  "Composite  3:30  p.m.  Quotations  for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such  business  day, the average of
the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such third business day.

     "Independent  Investment  Banker" means J.P. Morgan  Securities Inc. or, if
such firm is unwilling or unable to select the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue,  an
independent  investment  banking  institution of national standing in the United
States appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

         "Reference  Treasury Dealer" means each of J.P. Morgan  Securities Inc.
and its respective successors; provided, however, that if such firm ceases to be
a primary U.S.  Government  securities  dealer in New York, New York (a "Primary
Treasury  Dealer") or  otherwise  fails to provide a Reference  Treasury  Dealer
Quotation,  the Company  will  substitute  therefor any other  Primary  Treasury
Dealer.

         "Reference  Treasury  Dealer  Quotation"  means,  with  respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee,  of the bid and asked  prices for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issues
(expressed  in each case as a  percentage  of its  principal  amount)  quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York,
New York time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

         "Remaining Scheduled Payments" means, with respect to the 2018 Notes or
the 2038  Notes,  as the case may be, the  remaining  scheduled  payments of the
principal  thereof to be redeemed and  interest  thereon that would be due after
the related redemption date but for such redemption;  provided, however, that if
such redemption date is not an interest  payment date with respect to such note,
the amount of the next  succeeding  scheduled  interest  payment thereon will be
reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

         "Treasury  Yield" means,  with respect to any redemption date, the rate
per  annum  equal  to  the  semi-annual  equivalent  yield  to  maturity  of the
Comparable  Treasury  Issue,  assuming a price of the Comparable  Treasury Issue
(expressed  as a percentage of its  principal  amount)  equal to the  Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date.

         SECTION  2.  Pursuant  to  Sections  2.01  and  2.03  of  the  Original
Indenture,  there is hereby authorized and the Company shall issue the following
series  of  Securities,  the  form  of  each  Security  of  each  series  to  be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibits 1 and 2:

          (a) A series of notes under the Original  Indenture  designated as the
7.10% Notes due March 1, 2018 (the "2018 Notes").  The series of 2018 Notes will
be limited to $150,000,000  aggregate  principal amount and will mature on March
1, 2018 at 100% of their principal  amount,  unless earlier  redeemed.  The 2018
Notes will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
Each 2018 Note will bear  interest  from  March 2, 1998 at the rate of 7.10% per
annum,  payable  semi-annually (to holders of record at the close of business on
February 15 or August 15  immediately  preceding  the interest  payment date) on
March 1 and September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 1998. The 2018 Notes
will be redeemable,  at any time prior to maturity at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part,  upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days  prior  written
notice,  at a  redemption  price  equal  to the  greater  of (i)  100% of  their
principal  amount  or  (ii)  the  sum of the  present  values  of the  Remaining
Scheduled  Payments thereon  discounted to the redemption date, on a semi-annual
basis, at the Treasury Yield plus 20 basis points, together with all accrued but
unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of redemption  in either case;  provided,
however,  that interest  installments due on an interest payment date that is on
or prior to the date of redemption will be payable to holders who are holders of
record  of such  notes as of the close of  business  on the  fifteenth  day next
preceding  such  interest  payment  date.  The 2018 Notes will be issued only as
Registered Global  Securities,  without coupons,  held by the Depositary,  which
will be the  Depository  Trust  Company,  and will not be issued  in  definitive
registered form except pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Original Indenture.

Page 2

          (b) A series of notes under the Original  Indenture  designated as the
7.25% Notes due March 1, 2038 (the "2038 Notes").  The series of 2038 Notes will
be limited to $150,000,000  aggregate  principal amount and will mature on March
1, 2038 at 100% of their principal  amount,  unless earlier  redeemed.  The 2038
Notes will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
Each 2038 Note will bear  interest  from  March 2, 1998 at the rate of 7.25% per
annum,  payable  semi-annually (to holders of record at the close of business on
February 15 or August 15  immediately  preceding  the interest  payment date) on
March 1 and September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 1998. The 2038 Notes
will be redeemable,  at any time prior to maturity at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part,  upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days  prior  written
notice,  at a  redemption  price  equal  to the  greater  of (i)  100% of  their
principal  amount  or  (ii)  the  sum of the  present  values  of the  Remaining
Scheduled  Payments thereon  discounted to the redemption date, on a semi-annual
basis, at the Treasury Yield plus 20 basis points, together with all accrued but
unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of redemption  in either case;  provided,
however,  that interest  installments due on an interest payment date that is on
or prior to the date of redemption will be payable to holders who are holders of
record of such notes as of the close of business on the relevant record date for
such  installment.  The 2038  Notes  will be issued  only as  Registered  Global
Securities,  without  coupons,  held  by  the  Depositary,  which  will  be  the
Depository Trust Company,  and will not be issued in definitive  registered form
except pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Original Indenture.

         SECTION 3. Nothing in this Third Supplemental  Indenture,  expressed or
implied,  is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any person
or corporation,  other than the parties hereto and the holders of the 2018 Notes
and 2038  Notes  any  right,  remedy or claim  under or by reason of this  Third
Supplemental  Indenture  or any  covenant,  stipulation,  promise  or  agreement
contained  herein;  all the  covenants,  stipulations,  promises and  agreements
contained herein being for the sole and exclusive  benefit of the parties hereto
and their successors, and the holders from time to time of the New Securities.

         SECTION 4. This Third  Supplemental  Indenture shall form a part of the
Original Indenture for all purposes and every holder of Securities heretofore or
hereafter  authenticated  and delivered  under the Original  Indenture  shall be
bound hereby;  provided that the supplemental  definitions provided in Section 1
of this Third Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to the New Securities. The
Original  Indenture  as  supplemented  by this Third  Supplemental  Indenture is
hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

         SECTION 5. The Trustee,  for itself and its  successor  or  successors,
accepts  the  trust  of  the  Original   Indenture  as  amended  by  this  Third
Supplemental Indenture,  and agrees to perform the same, but only upon the terms
and  conditions  set forth in the Original  Indenture,  including  the terms and
provisions  defining and limiting the  liabilities and  responsibilities  of the
Trustee,  which terms and  provisions  shall in like manner define and limit its
liabilities and  responsibilities in the performance of the trust created by the
Original Indenture,  and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the
recitals  contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company,  and
the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their  correctness.  The Trustee makes
no  representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental
Indenture  other than as to the  validity of its  execution  and delivery by the
Trustee.

         SECTION 6. This Third  Supplemental  Indenture  may be  executed in any
number  of  counterparts,   each  of  which  shall  be  an  original;  but  such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                   SIGNATURES

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this  Third
Supplemental  Indenture to be duly  executed,  all as of the date first  written
above.


                                                The ServiceMaster Company,
                                                as the Company

                                                By:
                                                Title:


                                                Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                                                as Trustee

                                                By:
                                                Title:

Page 3


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  )
COUNTY OF DUPAGE  )

         BEFORE  ME, the  undersigned  authority,  on this ___ day of  ________,
1998, personally appeared ______________________, _______________________ of The
ServiceMaster  Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),  known to me (or
proved to me by  introduction  upon the oath of a person  known to me) to be the
person and officer whose name is subscribed  to the  foregoing  instrument,  and
acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same as the act of such  corporation
for the purposes and consideration  herein expressed and in the capacity therein
stated.

         GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL THIS ____ DAY OF       ___________, 1998.

(SEAL)


                                       NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF ILLINOIS

                                       Print Name:

Expires:





STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  )
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         BEFORE  ME, the  undersigned  authority,  on this ___ day of  ________,
1998, personally appeared  _______________________,  _______________________  of
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, an Illinois banking corporation,  known to me (or
proved to me by  introduction  upon the oath of a person  known to me) to be the
person and officer whose name is subscribed  to the  foregoing  instrument,  and
acknowledged  to me that he/she  executed  the same as the act of such trust for
the purposes and  consideration  herein  expressed  and in the capacity  therein
stated.

         GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL THIS _____ DAY OF     __________, 1998.

(SEAL)


                                        NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF ILLINOIS

                                        Print Name:

Expires:

Page 4



                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                                   Exhibit 1

No.       $

                            The ServiceMaster Company

                                     % Note

                                  Due [ ], 2018

         The ServiceMaster Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which
term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred
to), for value received,  hereby promises to pay to , or registered  assigns, at
the office or agency of the Company in New York,  New York, the principal sum of
on , in  the  coin  or  currency  of the  United  States,  and to pay  interest,
semi-annually on
                , and of each year,  commencing , on said  principal sum at said
office or agency,  in like coin or currency,  at the rate per annum specified in
the title of this Note, from the or the , as the case may be, next preceding the
date of this Note to which  interest has been paid or duly provided for,  unless
the date hereof is a date to which  interest has been paid or duly provided for,
in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid or
duly  provided  for on these Notes,  in which case from , until  payment of said
principal  sum has been made or duly  provided  for;  provided,  that payment of
interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address
of the person  entitled  thereto as such  address  shall  appear on the Security
Register or by wire transfer as provided in the Indenture.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing, if the date hereof is after the first day of
                 or , as the case may be,  and before  the  following  or , this
                 Note shall bear interest from such or
                ; provided,  that if the Company shall default in the payment of
interest  due on such or , then  this Note  shall  bear  interest  from the next
preceding or , to which  interest  has been paid or duly  provided for or, if no
interest has been paid or duly provided for on these Notes, from
                . The  interest  so payable  on any or will,  subject to certain
exceptions  provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid
to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on
                 or , as the case may be,  next  preceding  such or , whether or
not such day is a Business Day.

         Reference is made to the further  provisions  of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.

         This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication  hereon shall have been manually signed by the
Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   The  ServiceMaster   Company  has  caused  this
instrument  to be  signed  manually  or by  facsimile  by  its  duly  authorized
officers.

         Dated:

                                        THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY


                                        By
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
Attest:
                                        By
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
Page 5


                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

         This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

         Dated:                             Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                                                 as Trustee


                                            By
Authorized Signatory


                                 REVERSE OF NOTE
                            The ServiceMaster Company

                                     % Note
                                  Due [ ], 2018

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debentures, notes, bonds
or other  evidences  of  indebtedness  of the  Company  (hereinafter  called the
"Securities") of the series  hereinafter  specified,  all issued or to be issued
under and  pursuant  to an  indenture  dated as of August 15,  1997  between the
Company (as  successor by merger to each of The  ServiceMaster  Company  Limited
Partnership and ServiceMaster  Limited Partnership,  and their respective rights
and obligations  under the Indenture  hereinafter  referred to) and Harris Trust
and Savings Bank, as Trustee (hereinafter called the "Trustee") (as supplemented
by the First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of August 15, 1997 among  SMCLP,
SMLP and the Trustee,  the Second Supplemental  Indenture dated as of January 1,
1998  between the Company and the Trustee and the Third  Supplemental  Indenture
dated as of March 2, 1998 between the Company and the Trustee, the "Indenture"),
to which  Indenture and all indentures  supplemental  thereto and all terms of a
particular  series of  Securities  established  pursuant to Section  2.03 of the
Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,  limitations
of rights,  obligations,  duties and immunities  thereunder of the Trustee,  the
Company and the Holders of the  Securities.  The Securities may be issued in one
or more  series,  which  different  series  may be issued in  various  aggregate
principal amounts,  may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at
different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions (if any), may
be subject to different  sinking,  purchase or analogous  funds (if any) and may
otherwise  vary as in the  Indenture  provided.  This  Note  is one of a  series
designated  as the % Notes Due [ ], 2018 of the  Company,  limited in  aggregate
principal amount to $150,000,000.

         Interest  will be  computed  on the basis of a  360-day  year of twelve
30-day months.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue  principal and, to the
extent lawful,  on overdue  installments of interest at the rate per annum borne
by  this  Note.  If a  payment  date is not a  Business  Day as  defined  in the
Indenture  at a place of payment,  payment may be made at that place on the next
succeeding  day that is a Business  Day,  and no interest  shall  accrue for the
intervening period.

         In case an Event of Default as defined in the  Indenture,  with respect
to the % Notes [ ], 2018,  shall have occurred and be continuing,  the principal
hereof and the interest accrued hereon,  if any, may be declared,  and upon such
declaration  shall  become,  due and payable in the manner,  with the effect and
subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

Page 6

         The Indenture  contains  provisions  which provide that,  without prior
notice to any Holders,  the Company and the Trustee may amend the  Indenture and
the  Securities  of any series  with the  written  consent  of the  Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Securities  of all
series  affected  (all such series  voting as one  class),  and the Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Securities  of all
series to be affected (all such series voting as one class) by written notice to
the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of the
Indenture or the Securities of such series;  provided that,  without the consent
of each Holder of the Securities of each series affected  thereby,  an amendment
or waiver,  including a waiver of past defaults,  may not: (i) extend the stated
maturity of the principal of, or any sinking fund  obligation or any installment
of interest on, such Holder's  Security,  or reduce the principal amount thereof
or the rate of  interest  thereon  (including  any amount in respect of original
issue  discount),  or any premium  payable  with respect  thereto,  or adversely
affect the rights of such Holder under any  mandatory  redemption  or repurchase
provision or any right of redemption or repurchase at the option of such Holder,
or reduce the amount of the  principal of an Original  Issue  Discount  Security
that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity or the amount
thereof  provable in bankruptcy,  or change any place of payment  where,  or the
currency  in which,  any  Security  or any  premium or the  interest  thereon is
payable,  or impair the right to institute suit for the  enforcement of any such
payment  on or after  the due date  therefor;  (ii)  reduce  the  percentage  in
principal amount of outstanding Securities of the relevant series the consent of
whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, for any waiver of
compliance  with certain  provisions  of the  Indenture or certain  Defaults and
their consequences  provided for in the Indenture;  (iii) waive a Default in the
payment of  principal  of or interest on any  Security of such  Holder;  or (iv)
modify any of the provisions of the Indenture governing supplemental  indentures
with the consent of Securityholders except to increase any such percentage or to
provide that certain other  provisions  of the  Indenture  cannot be modified or
waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding  Security  affected
thereby.

         It  is  also  provided  in  the  Indenture  that,  subject  to  certain
conditions,  the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class), by
notice to the  Trustee,  may waive an existing  Default or Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of such series and its consequences,  except a Default
in the payment of  principal  of or interest on any  Security or in respect of a
covenant  or  provision  of the  Indenture  which  cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding  Security  affected.  Upon
any such  waiver,  such Default  shall cease to exist,  and any Event of Default
with respect to the Securities of such series arising  therefrom shall be deemed
to have been cured, for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any  subsequent  or other  Default  or Event of  Default or impair any
right consequent thereto.

Page 7

         The Indenture  provides that a series of Securities  may include one or
more tranches (each a "tranche") of Securities, including Securities issued in a
periodic  offering.  The  Securities of different  tranches may have one or more
different terms, including  authentication dates and public offering prices, but
all the  Securities  within  each  such  tranche  shall  have  identical  terms,
including  authentication  date and public offering price.  Notwithstanding  any
other provision of the Indenture, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to
sections of the Indenture concerning the execution,  authentication and terms of
the  Securities,  redemption  of  the  Securities,  Events  of  Default  of  the
Securities,  defeasance of the Securities and amendment of the Indenture, if any
series of  Securities  includes  more than one tranche,  all  provisions of such
sections  applicable  to any  series  of  Securities  shall  be  deemed  equally
applicable  to each  tranche of any series of  Securities  in the same manner as
though originally  designated a series unless otherwise provided with respect to
such  series  or  tranche  pursuant  to a  board  resolution  or a  supplemental
indenture establishing such series or tranche.

         No reference  herein to the  Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture  shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,  which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Note in the manner,  at the place, at the respective  times, at the rate
and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

         The  Notes are  issuable  initially  only in  registered  form  without
coupons in  denominations  of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 at the office or
agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan,  The City of New York, and in
the manner and  subject  to the  limitations  provided  in the  Indenture,  but,
without the payment of any service  charge,  Notes may be  exchanged  for a like
aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations.

         The Notes  will be  redeemable,  at any time prior to  maturity  at the
option of the Company,  in whole or in part,  upon not less than 30 or more than
60 days prior written notice,  at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i)
100% of their  principal  amount  or (ii) the sum of the  present  values of the
Remaining  Scheduled  Payments  thereon  discounted to the redemption date, on a
semi-annual basis, at the Treasury Yield plus [____] basis points, together with
all accrued but unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of  redemption  in either
case; provided,  however,  that interest installments due on an interest payment
date that is on or prior to the date of  redemption  will be  payable to holders
who are  holders  of record of such  notes as of the  close of  business  on the
relevant record date for such installment.

Page 8

         Upon due presentment  for  registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the  Company in the  Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New
York, a new Note or Notes of  authorized  denominations  for an equal  aggregate
principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,  subject
to the limitations provided in the Indenture,  without charge except for any tax
or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

         The  Company,  the  Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may deem and treat the  registered  Holder hereof as the absolute  owner of this
Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation
of ownership or other writing hereon),  for the purpose of receiving payment of,
or on account of, the principal  hereof and,  subject to the provisions  hereof,
interest  hereon,  and for all other  purposes,  and neither the Company nor the
Trustee  nor any agent of the  Company or the  Trustee  shall be affected by any
notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation,  covenant or agreement of the
Company in the Indenture or any indenture  supplemental  thereto or in any Note,
or because of any  indebtedness  evidenced  thereby,  shall be had  against  any
incorporator,  stockholder,  officer or director,  as such,  past,  present,  or
future, of the Company or any successor corporation thereof,  either directly or
through the Company or any successor corporation, under any rule of law, statute
or  constitutional  provision or by the  enforcement of any assessment or by any
legal or equitable  proceeding or otherwise,  all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the  acceptance  hereof and as part of the  consideration
for the issue hereof.

         Terms used  herein  which are defined in the  Indenture  shall have the
respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.


   FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto

[PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE]

[PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
         IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE]

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

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

the within Note and all rights thereunder,  hereby irrevocably  constituting and
appointing  such  person  attorney  to  transfer  such  Note on the books of the
Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.


Dated:

NOTICE:           The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name
                  as  written  upon  the  face  of  the  within  Note  in  every
                  particular  without  alteration or  enlargement  or any change
                  whatsoever.

Page 9


                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                                    Exhibit 2


No.      $


                            The ServiceMaster Company

                                     % Note

                                  Due [ ], 2038

         The ServiceMaster Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which
term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred
to), for value received,  hereby promises to pay to , or registered  assigns, at
the office or agency of the Company in New York,  New York, the principal sum of
on , in  the  coin  or  currency  of the  United  States,  and to pay  interest,
semi-annually on
                , and of each year,  commencing , on said  principal sum at said
office or agency,  in like coin or currency,  at the rate per annum specified in
the title of this Note, from the or the , as the case may be, next preceding the
date of this Note to which  interest has been paid or duly provided for,  unless
the date hereof is a date to which  interest has been paid or duly provided for,
in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid or
duly  provided  for on these Notes,  in which case from , until  payment of said
principal  sum has been made or duly  provided  for;  provided,  that payment of
interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address
of the person  entitled  thereto as such  address  shall  appear on the Security
Register or by wire transfer as provided in the Indenture.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing, if the date hereof is after the first day of
                 or , as the case may be,  and before  the  following  or , this
                 Note shall bear interest from such or
                ; provided,  that if the Company shall default in the payment of
interest  due on such or , then  this Note  shall  bear  interest  from the next
preceding or , to which  interest  has been paid or duly  provided for or, if no
interest has been paid or duly provided for on these Notes, from
                . The  interest  so payable  on any or will,  subject to certain
exceptions  provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid
to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on
                 or , as the case may be,  next  preceding  such or , whether or
not such day is a Business Day.

         Reference is made to the further  provisions  of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.

         This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication  hereon shall have been manually signed by the
Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   The  ServiceMaster   Company  has  caused  this
instrument  to be  signed  manually  or by  facsimile  by  its  duly  authorized
officers.

         Dated:


                                        THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY


                                        By
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Attest:
                                        By
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
Page 10



                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

         This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

         Dated:                             Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                                                 as Trustee


                                            By
Authorized Signatory


                                 REVERSE OF NOTE
                            The ServiceMaster Company

                                     % Note
                                  Due [ ], 2038

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debentures, notes, bonds
or other  evidences  of  indebtedness  of the  Company  (hereinafter  called the
"Securities") of the series  hereinafter  specified,  all issued or to be issued
under and  pursuant  to an  indenture  dated as of August 15,  1997  between the
Company (as  successor by merger to each of The  ServiceMaster  Company  Limited
Partnership and ServiceMaster  Limited Partnership,  and their respective rights
and obligations  under the Indenture  hereinafter  referred to) and Harris Trust
and Savings Bank, as Trustee (hereinafter called the "Trustee") (as supplemented
by the First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of August 15, 1997 among  SMCLP,
SMLP and the Trustee,  the Second Supplemental  Indenture dated as of January 1,
1998  between the Company and the Trustee and the Third  Supplemental  Indenture
dated as of March 2, 1998 between the Company and the Trustee,  the "Indenture")
to which  Indenture and all indentures  supplemental  thereto and all terms of a
particular  series of  Securities  established  pursuant to Section  2.03 of the
Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,  limitations
of rights,  obligations,  duties and immunities  thereunder of the Trustee,  the
Company and the Holders of the  Securities.  The Securities may be issued in one
or more  series,  which  different  series  may be issued in  various  aggregate
principal amounts,  may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at
different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions (if any), may
be subject to different  sinking,  purchase or analogous  funds (if any) and may
otherwise  vary as in the  Indenture  provided.  This  Note  is one of a  series
designated  as the % Notes Due [ ], 2038 of the  Company,  limited in  aggregate
principal amount to $150,000,000.

         Interest  will be  computed  on the basis of a  360-day  year of twelve
30-day months.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue  principal and, to the
extent lawful,  on overdue  installments of interest at the rate per annum borne
by  this  Note.  If a  payment  date is not a  Business  Day as  defined  in the
Indenture  at a place of payment,  payment may be made at that place on the next
succeeding  day that is a Business  Day,  and no interest  shall  accrue for the
intervening period.

         In case an Event of Default as defined in the  Indenture,  with respect
to the % Notes  Due [ ],  2038,  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing,  the
principal hereof and the interest accrued hereon,  if any, may be declared,  and
upon such  declaration  shall  become,  due and payable in the manner,  with the
effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

Page 11

         The Indenture  contains  provisions  which provide that,  without prior
notice to any Holders,  the Company and the Trustee may amend the  Indenture and
the  Securities  of any series  with the  written  consent  of the  Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Securities  of all
series  affected  (all such series  voting as one  class),  and the Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Securities  of all
series to be affected (all such series voting as one class) by written notice to
the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of the
Indenture or the Securities of such series;  provided that,  without the consent
of each Holder of the Securities of each series affected  thereby,  an amendment
or waiver,  including a waiver of past defaults,  may not: (i) extend the stated
maturity of the principal of, or any sinking fund  obligation or any installment
of interest on, such Holder's  Security,  or reduce the principal amount thereof
or the rate of  interest  thereon  (including  any amount in respect of original
issue  discount),  or any premium  payable  with respect  thereto,  or adversely
affect the rights of such Holder under any  mandatory  redemption  or repurchase
provision or any right of redemption or repurchase at the option of such Holder,
or reduce the amount of the  principal of an Original  Issue  Discount  Security
that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity or the amount
thereof  provable in bankruptcy,  or change any place of payment  where,  or the
currency  in which,  any  Security  or any  premium or the  interest  thereon is
payable,  or impair the right to institute suit for the  enforcement of any such
payment  on or after  the due date  therefor;  (ii)  reduce  the  percentage  in
principal amount of outstanding Securities of the relevant series the consent of
whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, for any waiver of
compliance  with certain  provisions  of the  Indenture or certain  Defaults and
their consequences  provided for in the Indenture;  (iii) waive a Default in the
payment of  principal  of or interest on any  Security of such  Holder;  or (iv)
modify any of the provisions of the Indenture governing supplemental  indentures
with the consent of Securityholders except to increase any such percentage or to
provide that certain other  provisions  of the  Indenture  cannot be modified or
waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding  Security  affected
thereby.

         It  is  also  provided  in  the  Indenture  that,  subject  to  certain
conditions,  the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class), by
notice to the  Trustee,  may waive an existing  Default or Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of such series and its consequences,  except a Default
in the payment of  principal  of or interest on any  Security or in respect of a
covenant  or  provision  of the  Indenture  which  cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding  Security  affected.  Upon
any such  waiver,  such Default  shall cease to exist,  and any Event of Default
with respect to the Securities of such series arising  therefrom shall be deemed
to have been cured, for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any  subsequent  or other  Default  or Event of  Default or impair any
right consequent thereto.

Page 12

         The Indenture  provides that a series of Securities  may include one or
more tranches (each a "tranche") of Securities, including Securities issued in a
periodic  offering.  The  Securities of different  tranches may have one or more
different terms, including  authentication dates and public offering prices, but
all the  Securities  within  each  such  tranche  shall  have  identical  terms,
including  authentication  date and public offering price.  Notwithstanding  any
other provision of the Indenture, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to
sections of the Indenture concerning the execution,  authentication and terms of
the  Securities,  redemption  of  the  Securities,  Events  of  Default  of  the
Securities,  defeasance of the Securities and amendment of the Indenture, if any
series of  Securities  includes  more than one tranche,  all  provisions of such
sections  applicable  to any  series  of  Securities  shall  be  deemed  equally
applicable  to each  tranche of any series of  Securities  in the same manner as
though originally  designated a series unless otherwise provided with respect to
such  series  or  tranche  pursuant  to a  board  resolution  or a  supplemental
indenture establishing such series or tranche.

         No reference  herein to the  Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture  shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,  which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Note in the manner,  at the place, at the respective  times, at the rate
and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

         The  Notes are  issuable  initially  only in  registered  form  without
coupons in  denominations  of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 at the office or
agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan,  The City of New York, and in
the manner and  subject  to the  limitations  provided  in the  Indenture,  but,
without the payment of any service  charge,  Notes may be  exchanged  for a like
aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations.

         The Notes  will be  redeemable,  at any time prior to  maturity  at the
option of the Company,  in whole or in part,  upon not less than 30 or more than
60 days prior written notice,  at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i)
100% of their  principal  amount  or (ii) the sum of the  present  values of the
Remaining  Scheduled  Payments  thereon  discounted to the redemption date, on a
semi-annual basis, at the Treasury Yield plus [____] basis points, together with
all accrued but unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of  redemption  in either
case; provided,  however,  that interest installments due on an interest payment
date that is on or prior to the date of  redemption  will be  payable to holders
who are  holders  of record of such  notes as of the  close of  business  on the
relevant record date for such installment.

Page 13

         Upon due presentment  for  registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the  Company in the  Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New
York, a new Note or Notes of  authorized  denominations  for an equal  aggregate
principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,  subject
to the limitations provided in the Indenture,  without charge except for any tax
or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

         The  Company,  the  Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may deem and treat the  registered  Holder hereof as the absolute  owner of this
Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation
of ownership or other writing hereon),  for the purpose of receiving payment of,
or on account of, the principal  hereof and,  subject to the provisions  hereof,
interest  hereon,  and for all other  purposes,  and neither the Company nor the
Trustee  nor any agent of the  Company or the  Trustee  shall be affected by any
notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation,  covenant or agreement of the
Company in the Indenture or any indenture  supplemental  thereto or in any Note,
or because of any  indebtedness  evidenced  thereby,  shall be had  against  any
incorporator,  stockholder,  officer or director,  as such,  past,  present,  or
future, of the Company or any successor corporation thereof,  either directly or
through the Company or any successor corporation, under any rule of law, statute
or  constitutional  provision or by the  enforcement of any assessment or by any
legal or equitable  proceeding or otherwise,  all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the  acceptance  hereof and as part of the  consideration
for the issue hereof.

         Terms used  herein  which are defined in the  Indenture  shall have the
respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.


   FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto

[PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE]

[PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
         IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE]

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

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


the within Note and all rights thereunder,  hereby irrevocably  constituting and
appointing  such  person  attorney  to  transfer  such  Note on the books of the
Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.


Dated:

NOTICE:           The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name
                  as  written  upon  the  face  of  the  within  Note  in  every
                  particular  without  alteration or  enlargement  or any change
                  whatsoever.

Page 14