<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, 1997 and is
qualified entirely by reference to such Form 10-K.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         20,540
<SECURITIES>                                    8,300
<RECEIVABLES>                                   5,672
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               49,190
<PP&E>                                         10,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                  8,472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                136,718
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          32,887
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          166
<OTHER-SE>                                    100,996
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  136,718
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              140,911
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 133,101
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 7,810
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,870)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,680
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,680
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .70