<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,697
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  145,591
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      9,518
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               187,949
<PP&E>                                         509,114
<DEPRECIATION>                                 263,543
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 766,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          115,625
<BONDS>                                         61,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                     490,523
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   766,205
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               287,478
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  250,834
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,754
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,512
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,744
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,744
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0