-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AtqujL5UE97ibeZXf7zUTRZy7mPjeWgkoax5HR2v4TUo3NiwgI4ISD9a+9NwR0dm
 awDDLJqh2Id3z5g537XzyA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001105087-07-000001.txt : 20070924
<SEC-HEADER>0001105087-07-000001.hdr.sgml : 20070924
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070924175633
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001105087-07-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070919
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070924
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070924

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RURAL/METRO CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000906326
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LOCAL & SUBURBAN TRANSIT & INTERURBAN HWY PASSENGER TRAINS [4100]
		IRS NUMBER:				860746929
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85258
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4806063886

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85258

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RURAL METRO CORP /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930528

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STADIUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001105087
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22056
		FILM NUMBER:		071132336

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2483 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD
		STREET 2:		STE 202
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6503214000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19785 VILLAGE OFFICE COURT
		STREET 2:		STE 101
		CITY:			BEND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97702
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-09-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000906326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RURAL/METRO CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RURL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001105087</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STADIUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>19785 VILLAGE OFFICE COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 101</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97702</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2813652</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>As General Partner of and Investment Adviser to Limited Partnerships  See Footnotes (1) and (2)</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">(1)  Filed on behalf of Stadium Capital Management, LLC.
The reporting person disclaims membership in a group with any other person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(i) and Rule 16a-1(a)(1) under the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">(2)  These securities are owned by investment limited partnerships, of which Stadium Capital Management, LLC is the general partner and investment adviser.  The reporting person has only a pro rata interest in the securities with respect to which indirect beneficial ownership is reported and disclaims beneficial ownership in such securities except to the extent of such reporting person's pecuniary interest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bradley R. Kent, Manager</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-09-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----