<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 22,306,181 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 45,505,346 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 77,200,273 <PP&E> 102,766,369 <DEPRECIATION> 54,976,814 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 190,335,325 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 36,422,843 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 6,472,869 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 130,179,212 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 190,335,325 <SALES> 178,621,850 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 178,621,850 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 150,091,401 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 28,788,132 <INCOME-TAX> 10,601,124 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,187,008 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,187,008 <EPS-PRIMARY> .281 <EPS-DILUTED> 0