<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 64,363,015 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 100,379,122 <ALLOWANCES> 1,780,971 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 189,785,884 <PP&E> 181,262,231 <DEPRECIATION> 86,673,465 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 476,083,007 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 93,576,499 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,507,909 <OTHER-SE> 332,126,034 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 476,083,007 <SALES> 145,859,279 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 145,859,279 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 118,302,025 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 31,482,340 <INCOME-TAX> 10,825,340 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,657,241 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,657,241 <EPS-BASIC> .11 <EPS-DILUTED> .11