<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PER-SE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U. S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          38,101
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   91,829
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               140,699
<PP&E>                                          37,796
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 239,772
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,560
<BONDS>                                        175,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           909
<OTHER-SE>                                     (19,276)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   239,772
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               245,001
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               292,883
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,858
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (59,740)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (502)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (59,238)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     544
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (58,694)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.71)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.71)