<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000721683 <NAME> TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 <CASH> 35,423,729 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 112,930,489 <ALLOWANCES> 1,275,030 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 173,549,995 <PP&E> 174,544,176 <DEPRECIATION> 80,986,113 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 428,509,306 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 88,144,439 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,507,909 <OTHER-SE> 296,664,486 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 428,509,306 <SALES> 390,130,232 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 390,130,232 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 327,817,408 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 72,845,755 <INCOME-TAX> 24,527,605 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 48,318,150 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 48,318,150 <EPS-BASIC> .25 <EPS-DILUTED> .25