<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
     JUNE 30, 1999 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
     SUCH DOCUMENT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001071645
<NAME>                        WORLD ACCESS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         98,996
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,629
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (9,287)
<INVENTORY>                                    45,216
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               296,483
<PP&E>                                         74,091
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (11,766)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 693,146
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          116,422
<BONDS>                                        115,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    1
<COMMON>                                       448
<OTHER-SE>                                     426,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   693,146
<SALES>                                        321,251
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               321,251
<CGS>                                          256,322
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  256,322
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               44,081
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             4,604
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                17,750
<INCOME-TAX>                                   9,357
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            8,393
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (14,315)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,922)
<EPS-BASIC>                                  (.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.15)