<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains thirteen week summary financial information extracted
from APAC TeleServices, Inc.'s 1997 first quarter Form 10-Q and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q filing.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                              88
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,465
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                61,828
<PP&E>                                         108,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,965
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 150,552
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,838
<BONDS>                                          1,307
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           467
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,140
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   150,552
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                90,318
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,363
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,953
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,673
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,473
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,473
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0