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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000721683-03-000017.txt : 20030515
<SEC-HEADER>0000721683-03-000017.hdr.sgml : 20030515
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030515164639
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000721683-03-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030514
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030515

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GARRARD GARDINER W JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001128832

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10254
		FILM NUMBER:		03705667

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GARILOU PAGE
		STREET 2:		901 FRONT AVENUE, SUITE 202
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31901

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 FRONT AVENUE, SUITE 202
		STREET 2:		901 FRONT AVENUE, SUITE 202
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31901

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000721683
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION [7374]
		IRS NUMBER:				581493818
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 FIRST AVENUE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1755
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7066492267

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 FIRST AVENUE
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>gar64.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-05-14</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
<issuer>		<issuerCik>0000721683</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES INC</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>TSS</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
			<rptOwnerCik>0001128832</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GARRARD GARDINER W JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-05-14</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			<footnoteId id="F1"/>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>395</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>18.96</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>15271 </value>
				<footnoteId id="F2"/>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">Purchase of shares under TSYS Director Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Mr. Garrard also indirectly holds the following shares of common stock:  2,947 shares in the Jordan Co. 401k/PSP account and 853 shares in his Keogh account.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: Signed by Garilou Page as Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-05-15</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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