<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000760386
<NAME> WELLESLEY LEASE INCOME LIMITED PARTNERSHIP III-D FDS 9/30/97
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
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<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<OTHER-SE>                                 (7,522,153)
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<CGS>                                                0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               915,714
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              (50,878)
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