<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 NUMBER 1-14036,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000714603
<NAME> DST SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
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<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  144,854
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,333
<PP&E>                                         500,404
<DEPRECIATION>                                 251,119
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          118,543
<BONDS>                                         73,738
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<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                     479,122
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   768,339
<SALES>                                              0
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<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  125,077
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,373
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,963
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,417
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<NET-INCOME>                                     4,417
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
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