<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
1996 and is qualified entirely by reference to such Form 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              17,996
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        4,246
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                              0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    34,177
<PP&E>                                              17,038
<DEPRECIATION>                                       7,911
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     113,729
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               24,299
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               166
<OTHER-SE>                                          89,264
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       113,729
<SALES>                                                  0   
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   137,719   
<CGS>                                                    0   
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      114,043   
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0   
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0   
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       0   
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     23,676   
<INCOME-TAX>                                         9,045   
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 14,631   
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0   
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0   
<CHANGES>                                                0   
<NET-INCOME>                                        14,631   
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.88 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.88