<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      19,612,947
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               49,434,032
<ALLOWANCES>                                   708,662
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            77,813,337
<PP&E>                                     114,400,803
<DEPRECIATION>                              56,279,824
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             204,040,528
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       37,798,636
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    12,948,352
<OTHER-SE>                                 135,920,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               204,040,528
<SALES>                                     71,101,979
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            71,101,979
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               63,232,684
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,003,656
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,034,442
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,969,214
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05 <FN>
<FN> On March 29, 1996, TSYS announced a two-for-one stock split to be issued
     on Apirl 22, 1996, to shareholders of record as of April 11, 1996.
     Financial data schedules have not been restated for prior periods for 
     this recapitalization.
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0