<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 24,989,809 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 56,599,491 <ALLOWANCES> 707,938 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 93,468,786 <PP&E> 119,968,214 <DEPRECIATION> 58,503,014 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 236,072,971 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,635,057 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,948,352 <OTHER-SE> 152,663,406 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 236,072,971 <SALES> 225,770,020 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 225,770,020 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 193,305,275 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 38,478,035 <INCOME-TAX> 13,261,794 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,216,241 <EPS-PRIMARY> .20<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1> On March 29, 1996, TSYS announced a two-for-one stock split that was 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>