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,  No. 33-17376,  No.  333-25401 and No.  333-41775) on Form S-8 of Total
System  Services,  Inc. of our reports dated  January 23, 1998,  relating to the
consolidated  balance sheets of Total System Services,  Inc. and subsidiaries as
of  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  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, 1997, and the related  financial  statement
schedule,  which reports appear in or are incorporated by reference in the Total
System Services, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 1997.

                                             /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
March 23, 1998