Exhibit 23 to 1997 Form 10-K

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






               As  independent  public  accountants,  we hereby  consent  to the
incorporation  by reference  in this Form 10-K of our report  dated  January 26,
1998,  included in The  ServiceMaster  Company Annual Report to Stockholders for
the Year Ended  December 31,  1997.  It should be noted that we have not audited
any  financial  statements  of the Company  subsequent  to December 31, 1997, or
performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report.


                                   /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

                                       Arthur Andersen LLP



Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 1998