<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from CSA Income
Fund Limited Partnership III's Statement of Financial Position as of
December 31, 1996 and Statement of Operations for the twelve months then
ended and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         450,785
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,350,605
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                      35,231,829
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,121,318
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,911,901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   9,534,659
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,911,901
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,606,043
<CGS>                                        5,927,336
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,729,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               181,790
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             620,103
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                876,814
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            876,814
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   876,814
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.74
<FN>
<F1>The Registrant maintains an unclassified Statement of Financial Position.
</FN>