<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF USCS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31,
1996 FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                            8452
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    73458
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       4418
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                100222
<PP&E>                                          181762
<DEPRECIATION>                                   87412
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  205559
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            63181
<BONDS>                                           5647<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          1153
<OTHER-SE>                                      114180<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    205559
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                263214
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   160923
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 74771<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  24335
<INCOME-TAX>                                      9826
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              14509
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     14509
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64
<FN>
<F1>CONSISTS OF NOTES PAYABLE, CREDIT LINE AND BONDS PAYABLE
<F2>CONSISTS OF ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
<F3>CONSISTS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND SELLING, GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES
</FN>