<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                      91,819,710
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               99,220,222
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,690,520
<INVENTORY>                                          0
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<PP&E>                                     186,722,519
<DEPRECIATION>                              90,830,846
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      119,015,699
<BONDS>                                              0
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<COMMON>                                    19,507,909
<OTHER-SE>                                 370,491,469
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               545,328,451
<SALES>                                    445,307,629
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           445,307,629
<CGS>                                                0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                34,336,172
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         64,054,408
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<EPS-BASIC>                                        .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33