<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                      53,055,663
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               64,471,718
<ALLOWANCES>                                   727,911
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           133,307,809
<PP&E>                                     137,434,115
<DEPRECIATION>                              68,183,579
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             305,843,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       63,249,454
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    19,422,528<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                 211,019,036<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               305,843,099
<SALES>                                     96,318,293
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            96,318,293
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               83,765,946
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,339,660
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,089,299
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         10,250,361
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                10,250,361
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05<F1>
<FN>
<F1>On April 16, 1998, TSYS announced a three-for-two stock split to be
issued on May 8, 1998, to shareholders of record as of April 27, 1998.
Financial data schedules have not been restated for prior periods for this
recapitalization.
</FN>