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



                               September 16, 1996
                            (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)



                   1200 Sixth 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 September  16,  1996,  Total System  Services,  Inc.  ("Registrant")
announced  that it is  expected  that  earnings  for 1996  will  exceed  current
analysts' estimates by approximately 10%.

         A  copy  of  Registrant's  press  release  regarding  the  announcement
referenced  above is attached hereto as Exhibit 99, and by this reference 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, September 16, 1996























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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:  September 20, 1996                   By:/s/ Kathleen Moates
        ---------------------                   -------------------
                                                    Kathleen Moates
                                                    Deputy General Counsel















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