<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>