<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001016277
<NAME> NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          19,594
<SECURITIES>                                   116,839
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,657
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               278,345
<PP&E>                                         119,142
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,066
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 430,282
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          106,169
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             1
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<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     316,067
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   430,282
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                88,420
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,742
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    178
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (192)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                370
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       370
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0