Registration No. 33-______

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

        DELAWARE                                                58-0364900
(State or other  jurisdiction  of                              (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)


              1420 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      LONG-TERM ACHIEVEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (Full title of the Plan)


                                Kenyon W. Murphy
                       National Service Industries, Inc.
                                   NSI Center 1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30309
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

  Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service: (404) 853-1440

<TABLE>



                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Title of securities to be     Amount to be       Proposed maximum        Proposed maximum           Amount of
        registered            registered (1)     offering price per      aggregate offering      registration fee
                                                      share (2)              price (2)
---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
<S>                                <C>                        <C>                 <C>                       <C>

National Service
Industries, Inc. Common
Stock, $1.00 par value and              75,500                 $38.00              $2,869,000                   $869
Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights (3)

National Service
Industries, Inc. Common
Stock, $1.00 par value and
Preferred Stock Purchase             1,674,500                 $42.97             $71,953,265                $21,804
Rights (4)


TOTAL                                1,750,000                                    $74,822,265                $22,673
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
Page 2

(1)      Pursuant  to  Rule  416(a)  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
         Registration  Statement  also  covers any  additional  shares  that may
         hereafter  be issued as a result of the  adjustment  provisions  of the
         National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan.

(2)      Estimated  solely for purposes of  calculating  the  registration  fee.
         Based on the  option  price per share for shares  presently  subject to
         options;  and,  for those  shares  with  respect  to which  the  option
         exercise  price or other  offering  price is not known,  determined  in
         accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of
         1933,  based on the average of the high and low prices  reported on the
         New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 1997.

(3)      Shares  subject to  outstanding  options  granted  under  the  National
         Service  Industries,  Inc. Long-Term  Achievement  Incentive  Plan. The
         Preferred Stock Purchase Rights  initially trade with the Common Stock,
         and are not currently exercisable.

(4)      Shares issuable upon the exercise of options which may be granted,  and
         other  shares which may be issued,  in the future,  as awards under the
         National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan.
         The Preferred  Stock Purchase  Rights  initially  trade with the Common
         Stock, and are not currently exercisable.


                                       2
<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 3

           PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

         The following documents filed by the registrant with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:

         (a) the  registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K  filed  pursuant  to
Section 13(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 for its fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996;

         (b) all other reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since August 31, 1996; and

         (c) the  description  of the class of securities  to be offered  hereby
which is contained in any registration  statements filed under Section 12 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  including any amendments or reports filed for
the purpose of updating such description.

         All  documents  filed by the  registrant  pursuant to  Sections  13(a),
13(c),  14 and 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 after the date of
filing  of  this   Registration   Statement   and  prior  to  the  filing  of  a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold, or which deregisters all securities then remaining  unsold,  shall be
deemed to be  incorporated  herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         Section 145 of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law ("Section  145")
generally  provides  that a director or officer of a  corporation:  (i) shall be
indemnified  by the  corporation  for  expenses  in  defense  of any  action  or
proceeding  in  connection  with  his  service  to  the  corporation,  if  he is
successful in defense of the claims made against him; (ii) may, in actions other
than  "derivative" and similar actions,  be indemnified for expenses,  judgments
and settlements even if he is not successful on the merits,  if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests  of  the  corporation  (and  in a  criminal  proceeding,  if he had no
reasonable  cause to  believe  his  conduct  was  unlawful);  and  (iii)  may be
indemnified by the  corporation  for expenses (but not judgments or settlements)
incurred  to defend or settle  any  action by the  corporation  or a  derivative
action  (such as a suit by a  shareholder  alleging a breach by the  director or
officer  of a duty  owed  to the  corporation),  even  if he is not  successful,
provided that he acted in good faith and in a manner he  reasonably  believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,  provided that no
indemnification  is permitted without court approval if the individual was found
to be liable to the corporation. Before the permissive indemnification described
in clauses (ii) and (iii) above may be made pursuant to Section 145,  either (i)
a  majority  of  disinterested  directors,  (ii) a  committee  of  one  or  more
disinterested  directors  designated by a majority of  disinterested  directors,
(iii) the stockholders,  or (iv) under certain circumstances,  independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, must determine that indemnification is appropriate
in the circumstances because the applicable standards of conduct have been met.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>
Page 4

         Delaware law permits the advancement of expenses incurred by a proposed
indemnitee  by the  corporation  in advance of final  disposition  of the action
provided the  indemnitee  undertakes  to repay such  advanced  expenses if it is
ultimately   determined  that  he  is  not  entitled  to  indemnification.   The
corporation  may  purchase  insurance  on behalf of an  indemnitee  against  any
liability  asserted against him in his designated  capacity,  whether or not the
corporation itself would be empowered to indemnify him against such liability.

         Delaware  law also  provides  that the above  rights will not be deemed
exclusive of other rights of  indemnification or advancement of expenses granted
by  by-law,  agreement,  vote of  stockholders  or  disinterested  directors  or
otherwise, as to action in an indemnitee's official capacity and as to action in
another  capacity  while holding such office.  The  registrant's  Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws provide such additional rights.

         Article  Fifteenth of the  registrant's  Certificate of  Incorporation,
which  provides  contractual   indemnification   rights,  was  approved  by  the
registrant's  stockholders in 1987. It provides for mandatory indemnification of
directors and officers to the full extent now authorized by the Delaware General
Corporation  Law (as described  above) or to the further extent  indemnification
under the Delaware General  Corporation Law is broadened in the future.  Article
Fifteenth  also  mandates   advancement  of  expenses  incurred  by  a  proposed
indemnitee,  provided that, as long as Delaware law so requires,  an undertaking
to repay (as described above) is delivered to the registrant.

         Article Fifteenth permits persons indemnified  thereunder to bring suit
against the registrant to recover unpaid amounts  claimed  thereunder,  with the
expense of  bringing a  successful  suit to be paid by the  registrant.  Article
Fifteenth also provides that rights conferred  therein are nonexclusive and that
the registrant may maintain  insurance to protect a director or officer  against
any expense,  liability,  or loss,  whether or not the  registrant had the power
under the Delaware General Corporation Law to indemnify such person against that
expense, liability, or loss.

         Section   7.8  of  the   registrant's   By-laws   provides   rights  to
indemnification  with  respect  to conduct  on or before  January 5, 1987,  when
Article Fifteenth was adopted. Section 7.8 provides indemnification rights which
are similar  to, but  somewhat  narrower  than,  the rights  extended by Article
Fifteenth.

         The  registrant's  directors  and officers are insured  against  losses
arising from any claim  against  them in such  capacities  for wrongful  acts or
omissions, subject to certain limitations.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claims.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.1

         4(i) Relevant portions of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of
registrant,  filed as Exhibit 3 of registrant's  Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
May 31, 1992, are incorporated herein by reference.

         4(ii) Relevant portions of the By-Laws of registrant,  filed as Exhibit
3 to  registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1989, are incorporated herein by reference.

         23       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP




--------
1 Exhibits are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

                                       4

<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 5

         24 Powers of Attorney  authorizing  David Levy and Brock Hattox to sign
this  Registration  Statement and amendments to this  Registration  Statement on
behalf of officers and directors of the registrant.

         Item 9. Undertakings.

         (a)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1) To file,  during any  period in which  offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                           (i) To include any  prospectus  required  by  section
         10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                           (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
         arising after the effective date of the registration  statement (or the
         most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
         the aggregate,  represent a fundamental  change in the  information set
         forth in the registration statement; and

                           (iii)  To  include  any  material   information  with
         respect to the plan of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed in the
         registration  statement or any material  change in such  information in
         the registration statement;

provided,  however,  that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) above do not apply
if the  information  required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment  by
those  paragraphs  is  contained  in periodic  reports  filed by the  registrant
pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

                  (2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under
the Securities Act of 1933, each such  post-effective  amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration  statement  relating to the securities offered therein,
and the  offering  of such  securities  at that  time  shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

                  (3) To remove from  registration by means of a  post-effective
amendment  any of the  securities  being  registered  which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         (b) The undersigned  registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to section  13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  section  15(d)  of  the
Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934) that is  incorporated  by reference in the
registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions  described under Item 6, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for  indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the registrant will, unless in

                                       5
<PAGE>
Page 6

the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant,  National Service Industries, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the  requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its behalf by
the  undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  in the City of Atlanta,  State of
Georgia, on the 15th day of September, 1997.

                                               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.



                                               By: /s/ Kenyon W. Murphy
                                                   Kenyon W. Murphy
                                                   Vice-President, Secretary and
                                                   Associate Counsel


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

SIGNATURES                       TITLE                            DATE


/s/ James S. Balloun      Chairman of the Board, President    September 15, 1997
James S. Balloun          and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Brock Hattox          Executive Vice President and Chief  September 15, 1997
Brock Hattox              Financial Officer


/s/ Mark R. Bachmann      Vice President and Controller       September 15, 1997
Mark R. Bachmann


/s/ John L. Clendenin    *   Director                         September 15, 1997
John L. Clendenin


/s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr.*   Director                         September 15, 1997
Robert M. Holder, Jr.


/s/ James C. Kennedy     *   Director                         September 15, 1997
James C. Kennedy


/s/ David Levy               Director                         September 15, 1997
David Levy


                       (Signatures continued on next page)

                                       6
<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 7

/s/ Bernard Marcus       *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Bernard Marcus


/s/ John G. Medlin, Jr.  *   Director                         September 15, 1997
John G. Medlin, Jr.


/s/ Sam Nunn             *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Sam Nunn


/s/ Betty L. Siegel      *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Betty L. Siegel


/s/ Barrie A. Wigmore    *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Barrie A. Wigmore


*By: /s/ David Levy
         David Levy, Attorney-in-Fact

                                       7
<PAGE>
Page 8


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>

                                       Description                                        Page No.
<S>           <C>                                                                       <C>    

Exhibit 4(i)  Relevant  portions  of  the  Restated  Certificate  of                    Incorporated by
              Incorporation  of  registrant,   filed  as  Exhibit  3                      reference
              of  Registrant's  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter ended May 31, 1992.

Exhibit 4(ii) Relevant portions of the By-Laws of registrant,  filed                    Incorporated by
              as Exhibit 3 to  registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the            reference
              fiscal year ended August 31, 1989.

Exhibit 23    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

Exhibit 24    Powers of Attorney authorizing David Levy and Brock Hattox to
              sign this Registration Statement and amendments to this 
              Registration Statement on behalf of officers and directors 
              of the Registrant.
</TABLE>
                                       8



<PAGE>
                                                                          Page 9

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  Registration  Statement of our report dated October 21, 1996,
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of National  Service
Industries, Inc. for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 and to all references
to our firm included in this Registration Statement.



                                                     s/Arthur Andersen LLP


September 15, 1997

<PAGE>
                                                                      Exhibit 24
Page 10


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ John L. Clendenin
                                                John L. Clendenin            


Dated:  September 10, 1997

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 11


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr.
                                                Robert M. Holder, Jr.        


Dated:  September 10, 1997

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
Page 12


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ James C. Kennedy
                                                James C. Kennedy             


Dated:  September 10, 1997

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 13


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ Bernard Marcus
                                                Bernard Marcus            


Dated:  September 10, 1997

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
Page 14


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ John G. Medlin, Jr.
                                                John G. Medlin, Jr.      


Dated:  September 10, 1997
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 15


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.






                                            /s/ Sam Nunn
                                                Sam Nunn      


Dated:  September 10, 1997
<PAGE>
                                                                      Exhibit 24
Page 16


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  her true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for her in her name, place, and stead in her capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                              s/ Betty L. Siegel  
                                                 Betty L. Siegel





Dated:  September 10, 1997
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 17


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY




     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                                            /s/ Barrie A. Wigmore
                                                Barrie A. Wigmore


Dated:  September 10, 1997
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 33239}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES INC", "cik": "0000070538", "assigned-sic": "3640", "irs-number": "580364900", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0831"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-35609", "film-number": "97680279"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1420 PEACHTREE ST NE", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30309", "phone": "4048531000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1420 PEACHTREE ST NE", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30309"}}
Registration No. 33-______

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

        DELAWARE                                                58-0364900
(State or other  jurisdiction  of                              (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

              1420 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      LONG-TERM ACHIEVEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (Full title of the Plan)

                                Kenyon W. Murphy
                       National Service Industries, Inc.
                                   NSI Center 1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30309
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

  Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service: (404) 853-1440

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Title of securities to be     Amount to be       Proposed maximum        Proposed maximum           Amount of
        registered            registered (1)     offering price per      aggregate offering      registration fee
                                                      share (2)              price (2)
---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
National Service
Industries, Inc. Common
Stock, $1.00 par value and              75,500                 $38.00              $2,869,000                   $869
Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights (3)

National Service
Industries, Inc. Common
Stock, $1.00 par value and
Preferred Stock Purchase             1,674,500                 $42.97             $71,953,265                $21,804
Rights (4)

TOTAL                                1,750,000                                    $74,822,265                $22,673
Page 2

(1)      Pursuant  to  Rule  416(a)  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
         Registration  Statement  also  covers any  additional  shares  that may
         hereafter  be issued as a result of the  adjustment  provisions  of the
         National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan.

(2)      Estimated  solely for purposes of  calculating  the  registration  fee.
         Based on the  option  price per share for shares  presently  subject to
         options;  and,  for those  shares  with  respect  to which  the  option
         exercise  price or other  offering  price is not known,  determined  in
         accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of
         1933,  based on the average of the high and low prices  reported on the
         New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 1997.

(3)      Shares  subject to  outstanding  options  granted  under  the  National
         Service  Industries,  Inc. Long-Term  Achievement  Incentive  Plan. The
         Preferred Stock Purchase Rights  initially trade with the Common Stock,
         and are not currently exercisable.

(4)      Shares issuable upon the exercise of options which may be granted,  and
         other  shares which may be issued,  in the future,  as awards under the
         National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan.
         The Preferred  Stock Purchase  Rights  initially  trade with the Common
         Stock, and are not currently exercisable.

                                       2
Page 3

           PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

         The following documents filed by the registrant with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:

         (a) the  registrant's  annual  report on Form 10-K  filed  pursuant  to
Section 13(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 for its fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996;

         (b) all other reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since August 31, 1996; and

         (c) the  description  of the class of securities  to be offered  hereby
which is contained in any registration  statements filed under Section 12 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  including any amendments or reports filed for
the purpose of updating such description.

         All  documents  filed by the  registrant  pursuant to  Sections  13(a),
13(c),  14 and 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 after the date of
filing  of  this   Registration   Statement   and  prior  to  the  filing  of  a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold, or which deregisters all securities then remaining  unsold,  shall be
deemed to be  incorporated  herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         Section 145 of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law ("Section  145")
generally  provides  that a director or officer of a  corporation:  (i) shall be
indemnified  by the  corporation  for  expenses  in  defense  of any  action  or
proceeding  in  connection  with  his  service  to  the  corporation,  if  he is
successful in defense of the claims made against him; (ii) may, in actions other
than  "derivative" and similar actions,  be indemnified for expenses,  judgments
and settlements even if he is not successful on the merits,  if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests  of  the  corporation  (and  in a  criminal  proceeding,  if he had no
reasonable  cause to  believe  his  conduct  was  unlawful);  and  (iii)  may be
indemnified by the  corporation  for expenses (but not judgments or settlements)
incurred  to defend or settle  any  action by the  corporation  or a  derivative
action  (such as a suit by a  shareholder  alleging a breach by the  director or
officer  of a duty  owed  to the  corporation),  even  if he is not  successful,
provided that he acted in good faith and in a manner he  reasonably  believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,  provided that no
indemnification  is permitted without court approval if the individual was found
to be liable to the corporation. Before the permissive indemnification described
in clauses (ii) and (iii) above may be made pursuant to Section 145,  either (i)
a  majority  of  disinterested  directors,  (ii) a  committee  of  one  or  more
disinterested  directors  designated by a majority of  disinterested  directors,
(iii) the stockholders,  or (iv) under certain circumstances,  independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, must determine that indemnification is appropriate
in the circumstances because the applicable standards of conduct have been met.
 
                                        3
Page 4

         Delaware law permits the advancement of expenses incurred by a proposed
indemnitee  by the  corporation  in advance of final  disposition  of the action
provided the  indemnitee  undertakes  to repay such  advanced  expenses if it is
ultimately   determined  that  he  is  not  entitled  to  indemnification.   The
corporation  may  purchase  insurance  on behalf of an  indemnitee  against  any
liability  asserted against him in his designated  capacity,  whether or not the
corporation itself would be empowered to indemnify him against such liability.

         Delaware  law also  provides  that the above  rights will not be deemed
exclusive of other rights of  indemnification or advancement of expenses granted
by  by-law,  agreement,  vote of  stockholders  or  disinterested  directors  or
otherwise, as to action in an indemnitee's official capacity and as to action in
another  capacity  while holding such office.  The  registrant's  Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws provide such additional rights.

         Article  Fifteenth of the  registrant's  Certificate of  Incorporation,
which  provides  contractual   indemnification   rights,  was  approved  by  the
registrant's  stockholders in 1987. It provides for mandatory indemnification of
directors and officers to the full extent now authorized by the Delaware General
Corporation  Law (as described  above) or to the further extent  indemnification
under the Delaware General  Corporation Law is broadened in the future.  Article
Fifteenth  also  mandates   advancement  of  expenses  incurred  by  a  proposed
indemnitee,  provided that, as long as Delaware law so requires,  an undertaking
to repay (as described above) is delivered to the registrant.

         Article Fifteenth permits persons indemnified  thereunder to bring suit
against the registrant to recover unpaid amounts  claimed  thereunder,  with the
expense of  bringing a  successful  suit to be paid by the  registrant.  Article
Fifteenth also provides that rights conferred  therein are nonexclusive and that
the registrant may maintain  insurance to protect a director or officer  against
any expense,  liability,  or loss,  whether or not the  registrant had the power
under the Delaware General Corporation Law to indemnify such person against that
expense, liability, or loss.

         Section   7.8  of  the   registrant's   By-laws   provides   rights  to
indemnification  with  respect  to conduct  on or before  January 5, 1987,  when
Article Fifteenth was adopted. Section 7.8 provides indemnification rights which
are similar  to, but  somewhat  narrower  than,  the rights  extended by Article
Fifteenth.

         The  registrant's  directors  and officers are insured  against  losses
arising from any claim  against  them in such  capacities  for wrongful  acts or
omissions, subject to certain limitations.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claims.

         Omitted; inapplicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.1

         4(i) Relevant portions of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of
registrant,  filed as Exhibit 3 of registrant's  Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
May 31, 1992, are incorporated herein by reference.

         4(ii) Relevant portions of the By-Laws of registrant,  filed as Exhibit
3 to  registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1989, are incorporated herein by reference.

         23       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

--------
1 Exhibits are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

                                       4
Page 5

         24 Powers of Attorney  authorizing  David Levy and Brock Hattox to sign
this  Registration  Statement and amendments to this  Registration  Statement on
behalf of officers and directors of the registrant.

         Item 9. Undertakings.

         (a)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1) To file,  during any  period in which  offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                           (i) To include any  prospectus  required  by  section
         10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                           (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
         arising after the effective date of the registration  statement (or the
         most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
         the aggregate,  represent a fundamental  change in the  information set
         forth in the registration statement; and

                           (iii)  To  include  any  material   information  with
         respect to the plan of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed in the
         registration  statement or any material  change in such  information in
         the registration statement;

provided,  however,  that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) above do not apply
if the  information  required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment  by
those  paragraphs  is  contained  in periodic  reports  filed by the  registrant
pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

                  (2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under
the Securities Act of 1933, each such  post-effective  amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration  statement  relating to the securities offered therein,
and the  offering  of such  securities  at that  time  shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

                  (3) To remove from  registration by means of a  post-effective
amendment  any of the  securities  being  registered  which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         (b) The undersigned  registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to section  13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  section  15(d)  of  the
Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934) that is  incorporated  by reference in the
registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions  described under Item 6, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for  indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the registrant will, unless in

                                       5
Page 6

the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant,  National Service Industries, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the  requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its behalf by
the  undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  in the City of Atlanta,  State of
Georgia, on the 15th day of September, 1997.

                                               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Kenyon W. Murphy
                                                   Kenyon W. Murphy
                                                   Vice-President, Secretary and
                                                   Associate Counsel

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

SIGNATURES                       TITLE                            DATE

/s/ James S. Balloun      Chairman of the Board, President    September 15, 1997
James S. Balloun          and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Brock Hattox          Executive Vice President and Chief  September 15, 1997
Brock Hattox              Financial Officer

/s/ Mark R. Bachmann      Vice President and Controller       September 15, 1997
Mark R. Bachmann

/s/ John L. Clendenin    *   Director                         September 15, 1997
John L. Clendenin

/s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr.*   Director                         September 15, 1997
Robert M. Holder, Jr.

/s/ James C. Kennedy     *   Director                         September 15, 1997
James C. Kennedy

/s/ David Levy               Director                         September 15, 1997
David Levy

                       (Signatures continued on next page)

                                       6
Page 7

/s/ Bernard Marcus       *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Bernard Marcus

/s/ John G. Medlin, Jr.  *   Director                         September 15, 1997
John G. Medlin, Jr.

/s/ Sam Nunn             *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Sam Nunn

/s/ Betty L. Siegel      *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Betty L. Siegel

/s/ Barrie A. Wigmore    *   Director                         September 15, 1997
Barrie A. Wigmore

*By: /s/ David Levy
         David Levy, Attorney-in-Fact

                                       7
Page 8

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                       Description                                        Page No.
Exhibit 4(i)  Relevant  portions  of  the  Restated  Certificate  of                    Incorporated by
              Incorporation  of  registrant,   filed  as  Exhibit  3                      reference
              of  Registrant's  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter ended May 31, 1992.

Exhibit 4(ii) Relevant portions of the By-Laws of registrant,  filed                    Incorporated by
              as Exhibit 3 to  registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the            reference
              fiscal year ended August 31, 1989.

Exhibit 23    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

Exhibit 24    Powers of Attorney authorizing David Levy and Brock Hattox to
              sign this Registration Statement and amendments to this 
              Registration Statement on behalf of officers and directors 
              of the Registrant.
8
Page 9

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  Registration  Statement of our report dated October 21, 1996,
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of National  Service
Industries, Inc. for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 and to all references
to our firm included in this Registration Statement.

                                                     s/Arthur Andersen LLP

September 15, 1997
Exhibit 24
Page 10

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ John L. Clendenin
                                                John L. Clendenin            

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 11

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr.
                                                Robert M. Holder, Jr.        

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
Page 12

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ James C. Kennedy
                                                James C. Kennedy             

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 13

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ Bernard Marcus
                                                Bernard Marcus            

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
Page 14

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ John G. Medlin, Jr.
                                                John G. Medlin, Jr.      

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 15

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ Sam Nunn
                                                Sam Nunn      

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
Page 16

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  her true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for her in her name, place, and stead in her capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                              s/ Betty L. Siegel  
                                                 Betty L. Siegel

Dated:  September 10, 1997
Exhibit 24
                                                                         Page 17

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints DAVID LEVY and BROCK HATTOX,  and each of them  individually,  his true
and   lawful   attorneys-in-fact   (with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution)  to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as
a  director  or  officer  of  National  Service  Industries,  Inc.,  to  file  a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 for the $1.00 par  value  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.  Common Stock and plan  interests to be offered in  connection
with the National Service Industries, Inc. Long-Term Achievement Incentive Plan,
and any and all  amendments  thereto,  with  any  exhibits  thereto,  and  other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and necessary to be done in the premises,  as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  said  attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                            /s/ Barrie A. Wigmore
                                                Barrie A. Wigmore

Dated:  September 10, 1997