The number of U.S. temporary workers fell in the third quarter in the sharpest drop since the 2001-2002 recession, the American Staffing Association reported today.

Staffing firms employed an average of 2.7 million temporary and contract workers per day in the third quarter, down 11.8% from the third quarter of last year, according to the ASA's quarterly survey.

The number is also down 2.8% from the second quarter.