<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                      35,460,316
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               71,305,907
<ALLOWANCES>                                   707,760
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           129,097,932
<PP&E>                                     146,747,670
<DEPRECIATION>                              70,729,841
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             318,194,469
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       66,162,386
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    19,422,528<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                 220,771,003<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               318,194,469
<SALES>                                    187,787,391
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           187,787,391
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              161,559,472
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             32,598,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                10,697,747
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         21,900,418
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                21,900,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11<F1>
<FN>
<F1>On  April 16,  1998,  TSYS  announced a  three-for-two  stock split that was
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>