UNITED STATES
                       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

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

                                October 27, 2004

                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                                    Maryland
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                                     0-21886
                                (SEC File Number)

                                   52-0812977
                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)

         4724 S.W. Macadam Avenue
         Portland, Oregon                                    97239
         (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

                                 (503) 220-0988

      Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K  filing is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|  Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)

|_|  Soliciting  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

      On October 27, 2004,  Barrett  Business  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),
issued a press release  announcing  its financial  results for the quarter ended
September 30, 2004, and limited financial  guidance for the 2004 fourth quarter.
A copy of the press  release is  furnished  as Exhibit  99.1 to this  report and
incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits: The following exhibit is furnished with this Form 8-K:

      99.1  Press Release dated October 27, 2004.

                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                    BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.


Dated:  October 27, 2004            By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Michael D. Mulholland
                                        Vice President - Finance