<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      43,335,922
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               70,186,878
<ALLOWANCES>                                   735,959
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           132,405,707
<PP&E>                                     134,082,690
<DEPRECIATION>                              65,114,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             296,857,937
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       61,506,397
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    12,948,352
<OTHER-SE>                                 208,938,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               296,857,937
<SALES>                                    361,499,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           361,499,349
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              301,570,084
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             71,555,909
<INCOME-TAX>                                24,077,347
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         47,478,472
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                47,478,472
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37