EXHIBIT 23(a)

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated  September 13, 1996, except as to the 
poolings of interests with the Acquired Entities which is as of January 30, 
1997, relating to the consolidated financial statements of PMT  Services, Inc., 
which appears on page 1 of Exhibit 5.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of PMT 
Services, Inc. filed on April 8, 1997. We also consent to the application of 
such report to the Financial Statement schedule for the three years ended July 
31, 1996 which appears on page 1 of   Exhibit 5.2 of such Current Report on Form
8-K when such schedule is read in conjunction with the financial statements 
referred to in our report. The audit referred to in such report also included 
this schedule. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading 
"Experts" in such Registration Statement.


/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
August 6, 1997