EXHIBIT 23.1


                         Independent Auditors' Consent

The Board of Directors
Total System Services, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No.
2-92497  and No.  33-1736) on Form S-8 and (No.  33-52258)  on Form S-3 of Total
System  Services,  Inc. of our reports dated  January 22, 1997,  relating to the
consolidated  balance sheets of Total System Services,  Inc. and subsidiaries as
of  December  31,  1996 and 1995,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
income,  shareholders'  equity,  and cash  flows  for  each of the  years in the
three-year  period ended December 31, 1996, and the related  financial statement
schedule,  which reports  appear in the 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Total
System Services, Inc. and 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated
by  reference in the 1996 Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Total System  Services,
Inc.
                                             /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
March 17, 1997