<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule, submitted as Exhibit 27.1 to Form 10-Q, contains summary
financial information extracted from the consolidated condensed balance sheet
and statement of income of DST Systems, Inc., Commission file no. 1-14036, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000714603
<NAME>                        DST Systems, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                                  68
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          321
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                             11
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       438
<PP&E>                                                 909
<DEPRECIATION>                                         545
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       2,583
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  253
<BONDS>                                                 70
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                                 1
<OTHER-SE>                                           1,648
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         2,583
<SALES>                                                  0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     1,013
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          819
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       5
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        231
<INCOME-TAX>                                            83
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    148
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                           148
<EPS-BASIC>                                           1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.15