<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LHS GROUP INC. FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          75,738
<SECURITIES>                                    58,566
<RECEIVABLES>                                  100,340
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,742
<INVENTORY>                                      4,755
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               238,693
<PP&E>                                          38,639
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,556
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 264,719
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,768
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           577
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,213
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   264,719
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192,885
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,846
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                85,279
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (3,516)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,276
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,135
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,141
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,141
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44