<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE THIRD
QUARTER 1998 FORM 10-Q OF WEST TELESERVICES CORPORATION, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           7,605
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  108,945
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,707
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               142,542
<PP&E>                                         211,189
<DEPRECIATION>                                  75,454
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 329,263
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,732
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     230,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   329,263
<SALES>                                        123,294
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               123,294
<CGS>                                           65,237
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  105,281
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   105
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 326
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,438
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,083
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,355
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,355
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18