<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           9,051
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  142,669
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,233
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,646
<PP&E>                                         508,563
<DEPRECIATION>                                 279,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,060
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          135,538
<BONDS>                                         58,646
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                     660,648
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,060
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               427,047
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  388,681
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,110
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                254,971
<INCOME-TAX>                                    99,409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            155,374
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<NET-INCOME>                                   155,374
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0