<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from CSA Income
Fund Limited Partnership III's Statement of Financial Position as of December
31, 1997 and Statement of Operations for the twelve months then ended and is
qualified in its entirely by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         200,328
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,684
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                      32,491,943
<DEPRECIATION>                              13,732,945
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,137,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,332,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,137,010
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,603,454
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,401,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               189,195
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,185,481
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (172,262)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (172,262)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (172,262)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.85)
<FN>
<F1>The Registrant maintains an unclassified Statement of Financial Position.
</FN>