<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
QUARTER 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          15,836
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,263
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,533
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               148,969
<PP&E>                                         245,245
<DEPRECIATION>                                  86,833
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 362,783
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           74,342
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     255,484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   362,783
<SALES>                                        137,992
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               137,992
<CGS>                                           71,729
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  116,190
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   109
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 779
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,180
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,271
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,909
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,909
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22