ABM Industries "Jump Starts" 1997.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1997--ABM Industries Inc. (NYSE:ABM) today reported its best ever first quarter revenues, net income and earnings per share for the three months ended Jan. 31, 1997.

Outsourcing from the private sector, privatization by governmental agencies and an active acquisition program are combining to continue ABM's accelerated growth.

Revenues for the first quarter were $291,638,000, a 15% increase compared to $254,401,000 in the same period in 1996.

Net income was $4,840,000, up 20% over $4,048,000 for the same period last year. Earnings per share increased by 10% to 22 cents for the first quarter compared to 20 cents a year earlier, despite the initial dilutive effect of a recent stock-for-assets acquisition that will contribute to ABM's goal of continuing to compound its EPS by 12-15% per year.

ABM is the largest American-owned facility services contractor listed on the New York Stock Exchange. With more than 47,000 employees, ABM provides air conditioning, elevator, engineering, janitorial, lighting, parking and security services to thousands of commercial, industrial and institutional customers in hundreds of communities nationwide.

The ABM Family of Services includes American Building Maintenance, Ampco System Parking, American Commercial Security, Amtech Elevator, Amtech Lighting, ABM Engineering, CommAir Mechanical and Easterday Janitorial Supply. -0-

                       ABM INDUSTRIES INC.

                                                (Unaudited)
                                       1996        1997     Increase
                                   ---------------------------------
Three Months Ended Jan. 31

Revenues                           $254,401,000  $291,638,000   15%
Income before income taxes            7,102,000     8,345,000   18%
Net income                         $  4,048,000  $  4,840,000   20%
Earnings per Common and Common
 Equivalent Share                         $0.20         $0.22   10%
Common and Common Equivalent Shares  19,796,000    21,416,000    8%

    Note:  All share and per share amounts reflect a 2-for-1 common
stock split on July 15, 1996.

CONTACT: ABM Industries Inc.

Martinn Mandles, 213/879-7000 (Executive VP)

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