<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000824210 <NAME> PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND III <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 1,957 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,046 <ALLOWANCES> (458) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 40,028 <DEPRECIATION> (34,361) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 10,037 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 9,316 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 10,037 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 21,010 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,818 <LOSS-PROVISION> (94) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 306 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,898 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,898 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,898 <EPS-BASIC> 1.15 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.15