<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                      23,512,307
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               50,507,417
<ALLOWANCES>                                   718,574
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            84,795,927
<PP&E>                                     119,223,836
<DEPRECIATION>                              58,388,965
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             217,934,357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       45,853,695
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    12,948,352
<OTHER-SE>                                 142,763,169
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               217,934,357
<SALES>                                    145,591,366
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           145,591,366
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              127,732,183
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             18,669,832
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,828,327
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,869,331
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>On March 29, 1996, TSYS announced a two-for-one stock split to be issued on
April 22, 1996, to shareholders of record as of April 11, 1996.  Financial data
schedules have not been restated for prior periods for this recapitalization.
</FN>