<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE THIRD
QUARTER 2000 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-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          96,243
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  130,988
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,355
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               251,414
<PP&E>                                         325,726
<DEPRECIATION>                                 138,697
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 508,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          106,359
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           644
<OTHER-SE>                                     355,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   508,605
<SALES>                                        189,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               189,513
<CGS>                                           98,593
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  160,836
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,060
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,704
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,356
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,356
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27