<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 54,903,107 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 100,878,194 <ALLOWANCES> 1,276,696 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 179,675,933 <PP&E> 179,244,108 <DEPRECIATION> 82,989,451 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 457,349,538 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 103,261,836 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,507,909 <OTHER-SE> 314,784,147 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 457,349,538 <SALES> 533,926,011 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 533,926,011 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 445,633,607 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 103,576,003 <INCOME-TAX> 34,983,027 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 68,592,976 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 68,592,976 <EPS-BASIC> .35 <EPS-DILUTED> .35