<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                      23,806,186
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<OTHER-SE>                                 173,241,431
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<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            83,136,474
<CGS>                                                0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .07
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