SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20547



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): April 26, 1999


                            THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its certificate)

                             Commission File Number:



Delaware                            One ServiceMaster Way             36-3858106
                                    Downers Grove, IL 60515

(State or other jurisdiction         (Address of                (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)      executive office)     Identification No.)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code:            (630)  271-1300


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Item 5.     Other Events

Issuance of News Release Regarding Successful Tender Offer for
American Residential Services, Inc.

The  ServiceMaster  Company,  a Delaware  corporation,  announced the successful
completion  of  its  tender  offer  for  the  outstanding   shares  of  American
Residential Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, at a purchase price of $5.75
per share, through a news release dated April 27, 1999.

Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits

                  Financial Statements:

                  None


                  Exhibits:

                  1.       News Release dated April 27, 1999.


                                    Signature

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                 THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY
                                 (Registrant)

                                 By:      /s/ Vernon T. Squires
                                          Sr. Vice President and General Counsel

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