<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE SECOND
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>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          23,193
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  112,526
<ALLOWANCES>                                       235
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               160,664
<PP&E>                                         256,915
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,578
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 378,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,588
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     266,550
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   378,982
<SALES>                                        138,085
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               138,085
<CGS>                                           71,452
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  120,473
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 886
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,935
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,869
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,066
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,066
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17