<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE THIRD QUARTER 1999 FORM 10-Q OF WEST TELESERVICES CORPORATION, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED
THEREIN.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         35,791
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 112,797
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,155
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              167,647
<PP&E>                                        268,294
<DEPRECIATION>                                102,155
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                389,133
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          73,321
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          633
<OTHER-SE>                                    278,710
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  389,133
<SALES>                                       143,071
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              143,071
<CGS>                                          73,192
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 123,421
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                505
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                19,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                    7,618
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            12,160
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   12,160
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.19