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): August 5, 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



Item 5.     Other Events

Issuance of News Release Regarding the Pricing of  $250 Million
Senior Unsecured Debt Offering and Closing of the Offering


The ServiceMaster Company ("ServiceMaster")  announced the successful pricing of
a $250 million senior  unsecured debt offering (the  "Offering")  through a news
release  dated  August 5, 1999.  A copy of this news  release is attached to and
made a part of this Form 8-K.

The Offering was successfully closed on August 10, 1999.

Item 7.       Financial Statements and Exhibits

                  Financial Statements:

                  None


                  Exhibits:

1.   News Release dated August 5, 1999

2.   Underwriting  Agreement dated August 5, 1999 by and among The ServiceMaster
     Company and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., et. al.

3.   Fourth  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of August 10, 1999 by and between
     The ServiceMaster Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank

4.   $200,000,000 7-7/8 % Global Note due August 15, 2009

5.   $50,000,000 7-7/8% Global Note due August 15, 2009






                                    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