<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 16,864,041 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 88,068,268 <ALLOWANCES> 746,493 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 130,871,996 <PP&E> 176,809,129 <DEPRECIATION> 80,902,887 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 368,285,928 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,836,874 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,507,909 <OTHER-SE> 265,226,759 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 368,285,928 <SALES> 115,310,512 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 115,310,512 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 98,182,128 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,330,923 <INCOME-TAX> 6,382,355 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,948,568 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,948,568 <EPS-PRIMARY> .07 <EPS-DILUTED> .07