<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000760386
<NAME> WELLESLEY LEASE INCOME LTD PARTNERSHIP III-D FDS 3/31/97
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         150,683
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<OTHER-SE>                                 (7,489,395)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,347,897
<SALES>                                        385,147
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               419,060
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,498
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               285,709
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              (25,539)
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