SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                                 April 17, 2001
                            -------------------------
                            (Earliest Event Reported)



                           Total System Services, Inc.
                          -----------------------------
                          (Exact Name of Registrant as
                            Specified in its Charter)


   Georgia                              1-10254                  58-1493818
- --------------                    ------------------            --------------
(State of                         (Commission File              (IRS Employer
  Incorporation)                    Number)                      Identification
                                                                      Number)



                   1600 First Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901
                   ------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                                 (706) 649-2267
                          ------------------------------
                         (Registrant's Telephone Number)


           -----------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





Item 5.  Other Events.
- ------   -------------

         On April 17, 2001, Total System Services, Inc. ("Registrant") issued a
press release with respect to its first quarter 2001 earnings.

         A copy of Registrant's press release regarding the announcement
referenced above is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and by this reference is
hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 8-K and made a part hereof.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
- -------  ------------------------------------------------------------------

         (a)      Financial Statements - None.

         (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information - None.

         (c)      Exhibits

                  99 - Registrant's press release, April 17, 2001.



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                                    Signature
                                    ---------


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                     TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
                                     ("Registrant")


Dated: April 17, 2001                 By:/s/ Kathleen Moates
       ------------------------          --------------------------------------
                                             Kathleen Moates
                                             Senior Deputy General Counsel




























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