<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc's Form 10-Q for the period ended March
31, 1997 and is qualified entirely by reference to such Form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          23,003
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,704
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,719
<PP&E>                                          10,011
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,759
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 133,464
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,874
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           166
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,424
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   133,464
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,393
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,853
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,540
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,380
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,160
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,160
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13