<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      30,383,492
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               69,740,741
<ALLOWANCES>                                   706,688
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           125,992,443
<PP&E>                                     157,597,717
<DEPRECIATION>                              73,880,125
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             328,366,753
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       64,590,484
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    19,422,528<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                 234,021,299<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               328,366,753
<SALES>                                    287,189,319
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           287,189,319
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              242,732,482
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             55,177,801
<INCOME-TAX>                                18,106,212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         37,071,589
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                37,071,589
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19<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 prioir periods for this
recapitalization.
</FN>