<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000721683
<NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                       9,555,760
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               85,506,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                   710,592
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           119,722,091
<PP&E>                                     169,603,757
<DEPRECIATION>                              76,984,752
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             348,908,312
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       59,249,795
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    19,422,504<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                 250,931,215<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               348,908,312
<SALES>                                    396,194,068
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           396,194,068
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              329,825,544
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             81,787,127
<INCOME-TAX>                                26,955,984
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         54,831,143
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                54,831,143
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28<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>