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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HI7JJs0ABOuSbOiWCIY7XyK+Z+aWC368SdvYrUnm24F/W6chw5D5CDcjDlaPCE29
 9bq+pOJcIJmgRygne1R7Yg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-03-016993.txt : 20030804
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-03-016993.hdr.sgml : 20030804
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030804152056
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-03-016993
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030724
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030804

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:		8401 EAST INDIAN SCHOOL RD
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85251
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4809943886

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZARRIELLO MICHAEL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001241914

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22056
		FILM NUMBER:		03820480

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 ROSEHILL ROAD
		CITY:			SUFFERN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8453577393

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 ROSEHILL ROAD
		CITY:			SUFFERN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd14992.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 8/4/03
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-24</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000906326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RURAL METRO CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RUREC</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241914</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZARRIELLO MICHAEL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O RURAL/METRO CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8401 E. INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCOTTSDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85251</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Senior Vice President &amp; CFO</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>0</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><remarks>This Form 3 is filed as Mr. Zarriello's initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities.  Mr. Zarriello is reporting no securities holdings.</remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>Michael S. Zarriello</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-04</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>



</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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