<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000760382
<NAME> WELLESLEY LEASE INCOME LTD PARTNERSHIP III-C FDS 3/31/97
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          60,047
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<DEPRECIATION>                                 343,761
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<COMMON>                                    11,140,685
<OTHER-SE>                                (11,122,604)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   166,334
<SALES>                                         30,016
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,138
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,709
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,898
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (469)
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.03)
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