<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                              SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                         35,388
<SECURITIES>                                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 177,884
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                              255,775
<PP&E>                                                        621,482
<DEPRECIATION>                                                386,080
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                              1,480,146
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         138,343
<BONDS>                                                        88,254
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               0
<PREFERRED>                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                          500
<OTHER-SE>                                                    944,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                1,480,146
<SALES>                                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              557,972
<CGS>                                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 472,284
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                              6,087
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                83,563
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   29,153
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            54,654
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                   54,654
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    1.09