SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                OCTOBER 9, 1997





                       HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORPORATION




        DELAWARE                      1-14040                  52-1938672
(State of Incorporation)            (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
                                    File Number)         Identification Number)




                              6600 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
                            BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817
                                 (301) 380-7000











<PAGE>



ITEM 1.  CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.

         None.


ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         None.


ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

         None.


ITEM 4.  CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

         None.


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         News Release dated October 9, 1997 announcing third quarter results and
         containing forward looking statements


ITEM 6.  RESIGNATIONS OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.

         None.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         EXHIBIT NO.
              20           News Release dated October 9, 1997


ITEM 8.  CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

         None.

                                     2


<PAGE>
                                 SIGNATURES


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.




                                      HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORPORATION


    OCTOBER 9, 1997                          /S/ BRIAN W. BETHERS
----------------------         -------------------------------------------------
          Date                                 Brian W. Bethers
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
















                                      3
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORP", "cik": "0001002938", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "521938672", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-14040", "film-number": "97692894"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6600 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE", "city": "BETHESDA", "state": "MD", "zip": "20817", "phone": "(301) 380-7000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6600 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE", "street2": "DEPT 72/928.98", "city": "BETHESDA", "state": "MD", "zip": "20817"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                OCTOBER 9, 1997

                       HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORPORATION

        DELAWARE                      1-14040                  52-1938672
(State of Incorporation)            (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
                                    File Number)         Identification Number)

                              6600 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
                            BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817
                                 (301) 380-7000
ITEM 1.  CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.

         None.

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         None.

ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

         None.

ITEM 4.  CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

         None.

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         News Release dated October 9, 1997 announcing third quarter results and
         containing forward looking statements

ITEM 6.  RESIGNATIONS OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.

         None.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         EXHIBIT NO.
              20           News Release dated October 9, 1997

ITEM 8.  CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

         None.

                                     2
SIGNATURES

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.

                                      HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORPORATION

    OCTOBER 9, 1997                          /S/ BRIAN W. BETHERS
----------------------         -------------------------------------------------
          Date                                 Brian W. Bethers
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                                      3