<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       Sep-30-1997
<CASH>                                                          15,796
<SECURITIES>                                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  157,417
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               215,013
<PP&E>                                                         575,649
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 346,094
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               1,263,160
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          109,763
<BONDS>                                                         72,514
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                                     804,899
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 1,263,160
<SALES>                                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               473,941
<CGS>                                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  407,699
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               6,006
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 66,044
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    22,463
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             42,974
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    42,974
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        0