Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
04 February 2004


                               Compass Group PLC

                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation


Compass Group PLC announces that on 4th February 2004 it purchased for
cancellation 500,000 ordinary shares at the price of 370.43 pence per share from
Hoare Govett's affiliate, ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Limited.


Enquiries

Justin Besley   Compass Group PLC 01932 573 000

Jeremy Thompson ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Ltd 020 7678 8000




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