<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 29,890,350 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 63,617,266 <ALLOWANCES> 709,832 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 107,116,851 <PP&E> 130,329,557 <DEPRECIATION> 64,417,227 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 265,595,394 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,363,966 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,948,352 <OTHER-SE> 181,890,975 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 265,595,394 <SALES> 172,873,281 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 172,873,281 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 149,142,563 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 28,581,488 <INCOME-TAX> 10,123,336 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,458,152 <EPS-PRIMARY> .14 <EPS-DILUTED> 0