<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999 <CASH> 30,999,160 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 87,741,613 <ALLOWANCES> 1,021,767 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 147,529,948 <PP&E> 179,094,664 <DEPRECIATION> 82,863,684 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 396,136,690 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 72,966,485 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,507,909 <OTHER-SE> 281,720,150 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 396,136,690 <SALES> 252,303,011 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 252,303,011 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 210,533,336 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 47,326,781 <INCOME-TAX> 15,942,352 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 31,384,429 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 31,384,429 <EPS-BASIC> .16 <EPS-DILUTED> .16