<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIFIRST CORPORATION FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED MAY
27, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-27-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,850
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,313
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,355
<INVENTORY>                                     24,551
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               140,936
<PP&E>                                         449,478
<DEPRECIATION>                                 188,930
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 492,588
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,888
<BONDS>                                        121,093
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,076
<OTHER-SE>                                     264,506
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   492,588
<SALES>                                        396,570
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               396,570
<CGS>                                          367,409
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  367,409
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,039
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,135
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,904
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,904
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.76