<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000760382
<NAME> WELLESLEY LSE INCOME LTD PARTNERSHIP III-C FDS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          84,478
<SECURITIES>                                    39,353
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                    17,670
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               125,142
<PP&E>                                         592,514
<DEPRECIATION>                                 398,464
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 319,192
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          152,694
<BONDS>                                          9,706
<COMMON>                                    11,140,685
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                (10,983,893)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   319,192
<SALES>                                        101,216
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               243,274
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,458
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               105,328
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                16,856
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,066
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                111,566
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            111,566
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   111,566
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0