<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WORLD ACCESS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         324,600
<SECURITIES>                                    82,249
<RECEIVABLES>                                  273,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                    46,859
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               716,768
<PP&E>                                         180,701
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,083
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,137,955
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          488,314
<BONDS>                                        401,450
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          6
<COMMON>                                           732
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,237,963
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,137,955
<SALES>                                        826,660
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               826,660
<CGS>                                          725,060
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  725,060
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               230,750
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,471
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (150,096)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (19,265)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (130,831)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  17,376
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (113,455)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (1.95)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.95)