<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.  AMOUNTS DERIVED FROM WORLD ACCESS, INC.'S 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 HAVE 
BEEN RESTATED FOR THE 1998 PRESENTATION OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         118,065                  22,480
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,501                   9,917
<ALLOWANCES>                                       237                     265
<INVENTORY>                                     22,427                  10,657
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               171,680                  46,323
<PP&E>                                          12,650                   8,564
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,945                   5,906
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 225,283                  60,736
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,930                   8,362
<BONDS>                                        115,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           193                     163
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,562                  52,211
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   225,283                  60,736
<SALES>                                         48,614                  17,131
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,614                  17,131
<CGS>                                           27,527                  14,076
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   27,527                  14,076
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,322                   4,440
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    49                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,040                      39
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,142                  (1,155)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,792                    (114)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,350                  (1,041)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   4,784                   7,820
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,134                   6,779
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76                     .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70                     .46