<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000814780 <NAME> Enex Oil & Gas Income Program III - Series 3, L.P. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> dec-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> jan-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> sep-30-1996 <CASH> 15611 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 36633 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 53913 <PP&E> 2636352 <DEPRECIATION> 2129676 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 560589 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 45414 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 443301 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 560589 <SALES> 254453 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 254453 <CGS> 59163 <TOTAL-COSTS> 59163 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 24912 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 103173 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0