UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                   FORM 12B-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22056

(Check one):
[ ] FORM 10-K   [ ] FORM 20-F   [ ] FORM 11-K   [X] FORM 10-Q   [ ] FORM N-SAR

     FOR PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2003

     [ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-K
     [ ]  Transition Report on Form 20-F
     [ ]  Transition Report on Form 11-K
     [ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
     [ ]  Transition Report on Form N-SAR

     For the Transition Period Ended: ____________________


          READ INSTRUCTION BEFORE PREPARING FORM. PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE.

Nothing  in this  form  shall be  construed  to imply  that the  Commission  has
verified any information contained herein.

If the notification  relates to a portion of the filing checked above,  identify
the items(s) to which the notification relates:

PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full Name of Registrant: Rural/Metro Corporation

Former Name if Applicable:

Address of principal executive office (STREET AND NUMBER): 8401 E. Indian School
Road

City, State and Zip Code: Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

PART II -- RULE 12B-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without  unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)

      |   (a)  The reasons  described in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this
      |        form  could  not be  eliminated  without  unreasonable  effort or
      |        expense;
      |   (b)  The subject annual report,  semi-annual report, transition report
      |        on Form 10-K,  Form  20-F,  Form 11-K or Form  N-SAR,  or portion
[X]   |        thereof  will be filed on or before the  fifteenth  calendar  day
      |        following  the  prescribed  due date;  or the  subject  quarterly
      |        report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will
      |        be filed on or  before  the  fifth  calendar  day  following  the
      |        prescribed due date; and
      |   (c)  The  accountant's  statement  or other  exhibit  required by Rule
      |        12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III -- NARRATIVE

State below in  reasonable  detail the reasons why Form 10-K,  20-F,  11-K,  and
10-Q,  N-SAR,  N-CSR,  or the transition  report or portion thereof could not be
filed within the prescribed time period.

As reported in its press  release  dated May 14, 2003,  Rural/Metro  Corporation
(the  "Company") has identified the need to increase its allowance for Medicare,
Medicaid and  contractual  discounts  and doubtful  accounts in the range of $35
million to $45  million.  The  Company is working  diligently  to  finalize  the
appropriate  accounting  treatment  and will  file the Form 10-Q as  quickly  as
practical.  It is possible that the resolution of this matter will extend beyond
May 20, 2003.

PART IV -- OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name  and  telephone  number  of  person  to  contact  in  regard  to  this
     notification.

     John S. Banas III                (480)                        994-3886
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          (Name)                   (Area Code)                (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic  reports  required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter  period that the
     registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is
     no, identify report(s).

                                 [X] Yes [ ] No

(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings  statements  to be  included  in the  subject  report  or  portion
     thereof?

                                 [ ] Yes [X] No*

*Subject to resolution of accounting matter noted in Part III above.

IF SO, ATTACH AN EXPLANATION OF THE  ANTICIPATED  CHANGE,  BOTH  NARRATIVELY AND
QUANTITATIVELY, AND, IF APPROPRIATE, STATE THE REASONS WHY A REASONABLE ESTIMATE
OF THE RESULTS CANNOT BE MADE.

                             Rural/Metro Corporation
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 16, 2003                 By: /s/ John S. Banas III
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       John S. Banas III
                                       Senior Vice President and General Counsel


INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly  authorized  representative.  The name and title of the person
signing  the form  shall  be typed or  printed  beneath  the  signature.  If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized  representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

                                    ATTENTION

Intentional  misstatements  or omissions  of fact  constitute  Federal  Criminal
Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).