<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, 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>                                         107,841
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  131,415
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,353
<INVENTORY>                                     40,437
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               326,406
<PP&E>                                          72,692
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,302
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 727,909
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          136,745
<BONDS>                                        115,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                           450
<OTHER-SE>                                     441,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   727,909
<SALES>                                        524,290
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               524,290
<CGS>                                          416,270
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  416,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,102
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,840
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,394
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,017
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,370
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,647
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (14,364)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,283
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20