EXHIBIT 23


                    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 25,
1999 The ServiceMaster  Company Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 1998.


                                             Arthur Andersen LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 22, 1999