<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      27,496,057
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               59,906,399
<ALLOWANCES>                                   704,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            98,322,938
<PP&E>                                     121,397,132
<DEPRECIATION>                              58,441,206
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             246,759,083
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       52,105,345
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    12,948,352
<OTHER-SE>                                 165,929,395
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               246,759,083
<SALES>                                    311,648,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           311,648,349
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              259,744,821
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             60,444,404
<INCOME-TAX>                                21,007,223
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         39,437,181
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                39,437,181
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31<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>