<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WORLD ACCESS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 145,347 <SECURITIES> 43,922 <RECEIVABLES> 284,067 <ALLOWANCES> 24,014 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 748,409 <PP&E> 196,119 <DEPRECIATION> 41,869 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,048,685 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 405,173 <BONDS> 400,533 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 6 <COMMON> 597 <OTHER-SE> 1,228,268 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,048,685 <SALES> 255,541 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 255,541 <CGS> 223,855 <TOTAL-COSTS> 223,855 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 41,535 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,545 <INCOME-PRETAX> (21,243) <INCOME-TAX> 3,460 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (17,783) <DISCONTINUED> (6,374) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (24,157) <EPS-BASIC> (0.45) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.45)