<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 <RECEIVABLES> 55,814,268 <ALLOWANCES> 703,689 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,667,903 <PP&E> 125,249,859 <DEPRECIATION> 61,347,575 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 250,454,939 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 49,158,729 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,948,352 <OTHER-SE> 173,241,431 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 250,454,939 <SALES> 83,136,474 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 83,136,474 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 72,311,520 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 13,045,845 <INCOME-TAX> 4,529,138 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,516,707 <EPS-PRIMARY> .07 <EPS-DILUTED> 0