1
                                            UNITED STATES
                                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                       WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                              FORM 10-Q

  [x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
            For quarterly period ended June 30, 1997

  [ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
            For the transition period from ___________ to _________________


                       Commission File Number:  0-20671


                RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
  __________________________________________________________________________
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Texas                                         75-2533518
  __________________________________________________________________________
  (State or other jurisdiction                    (I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)
  of incorporation or organization)

  8080 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas               75206-1857  
  __________________________________________________________________________
  (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code) 

                              214/891-8294
  __________________________________________________________________________
        (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

       Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
  reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
  period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
  been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                             Yes  X             No           

  4,342,942 shares of common stock outstanding at June 30, 1997.

  The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 was declared effective
  by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 1994.







   2
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          --------------------

                 RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.

                       Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

                                 (Unaudited)
  
   
                                     Assets
                                     ------

                                                         December 31, 1996       June 30, 1997   
                                                         -----------------      ---------------
                                                                                
    Cash                                                    $15,841,272           $10,536,593
    Accounts receivable                                         327,515               187,893
    Temporary investments at cost                                    -              4,922,286
    Investments at market value, cost of $25,708,570   
     and $25,789,218                                         34,186,155            25,329,161
    Organizational costs, net of accumulated amortization       333,238               271,396
                                                             ----------            ----------
                                                             50,688,180            41,247,329


                                      Liabilities
                                      -----------

    Liabilities:
     Accounts payable - related parties                         523,923               217,867
     Accounts payable - trade                                    36,077                10,398
     Dividends payable                                          997,860               342,479
                                                             ----------            ----------
    Net Assets:
     Common stock, $1 par value;
        10,000,000 shares authorized;
        4,339,422 and 4,342,942 shares
        issued and outstanding                               40,561,989            40,601,837

    Accumulated undistributed income (loss)                   8,568,331                74,748
                                                             ----------            ----------
    Net assets                                              $49,130,320           $40,676,585
                                                             ==========            ==========
    Net asset value per share                               $     11.32           $      9.37
                                                             ==========            ==========
    
    See accompanying notes to financial statements.







     3
                   RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.

                                Statement of Operations

                                     (Unaudited)
    
    

                                         Three Months Ended June 30,        Six Months Ended June 30, 
                                            1996             1997              1996            1997     
                                        --------------   --------------   --------------  --------------
                                                                                   
    Income:
    Investment Income:
         Interest                         $  457,898       $  681,298       $1,114,141      $1,194,212
         Dividends                            80,943           75,000          156,190         150,000
         Other investment income              70,000           26,000          118,500          51,000
                                           ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------
         Total investment income             608,841          782,298        1,388,831       1,395,212
                                           ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------
    Expenses:
         Amortization                         30,750           31,092           61,842          61,842
         Bank charges                          5,851            5,314            5,851          10,632
         Directors' fees                      14,000           13,500           32,000          31,500
         Legal and professional               51,807           18,694           99,150          81,937
         Management fees                     177,345          180,269          375,575         367,405
         Taxes                                    -             6,866           31,965           7,677
         Other                                20,681           61,079           92,557         115,194
                                           ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------
         Total Expenses                      300,434          316,814          698,940         676,187
                                           ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------
         Net investment income               308,407          465,484          689,891         719,025

    Realized gain on investments                  -                -                -          419,905
    Unrealized gain (loss) on investments    749,290       (1,680,956)       1,401,441      (8,937,641)
                                           ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets     
         resulting from operations        $1,057,697      ($1,215,472)      $2,091,332     ($7,798,711)
                                           =========        =========        =========       =========

    









    See accompanying notes to financial statements.







     4
                RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.

                        Statement of Changes in Net Assets

    
    CAPTION>


                                                  Three Months Ended June 30,        Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                    1996               1997            1996             1997      
                                                 --------------   --------------   --------------  --------------
                                                                                            
    Increase (decrease) in net assets
     resulting from operations

    Investment income - net                      $   308,407       $   465,484      $   689,891      $  719,025
    Realized gain on investments                          -                 -                -          419,905
    Unrealized gain (loss) on investments            749,290        (1,680,956)       1,401,441      (8,937,641)
                                                   ---------         ---------        ---------       ---------
         Net increase (decrease) in net assets
         resulting from operations                 1,057,697        (1,215,472)       2,091,332      (7,798,711)

    Distributions to shareholders
      from net investment income                    (394,682)         (347,436)        (831,644)       (694,872)
    Capital share transactions                       140,230                -           784,964          39,848
                                                  ----------        ----------       ----------      ----------
         Total increase (decrease)                   803,245        (1,562,908)       2,044,652      (8,453,735)

    Net assets
         Beginning of period                      41,741,579        42,239,493       40,500,172      49,130,320
                                                  ----------        ----------       ----------      ----------
         End of period                           $42,544,824       $40,676,585      $42,544,824     $40,676,585
                                                  ==========        ==========       ==========      ==========

    


    See accompanying notes to financial statements.







     5
                   RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
                         Notes to Financial Statements
                                June 30, 1997


  1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS PURPOSE

       Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc. (the "Fund"), a
  Texas Corporation, was incorporated on January 20, 1994, and had no
  operations prior to June 24, 1994.   The Fund seeks to achieve current
  income and capital appreciation potential by investing primarily in
  unregistered preferred stock investments of small and medium size companies
  which are in need of capital and which it believes offer the opportunity
  for growth.  The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development
  company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act").

  2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

       A.  Federal Income Taxes - The Fund intends to elect the special
  income tax treatment available to "regulated investment companies" under
  Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code in order to be relieved of
  federal income tax on that part of its net investment income and realized
  capital gains that it pays out to its shareholders.  The Fund's policy is
  to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code that are
  applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all its
  taxable income to its shareholders.  Therefore, no federal income tax
  provision is required.

       B.  Distributions to Shareholders - Dividends to shareholders are
  recorded on the ex-dividend date.  The Fund declared dividends of $347,436
  for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.

       C.  Other - The Fund follows industry practice and records security
  transactions on the trade date.  Dividend income is recognized on the ex-
  dividend date, and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis.

       D.  Financial Instruments - In accordance with the reporting
  requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
  "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments," the Company
  calculates the fair value of its financial instruments and includes this
  additional information in the notes to the financial statements when the
  fair value is different than the carrying value of those financial
  instruments.  When the fair value reasonably approximates the carrying
  value, not additional disclosure is made.

  3.  ORGANIZATION EXPENSES

       In connection with the offering of its shares, the Fund paid
  Renaissance Capital Group, Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") organizational
  expenses of $623,544.  Such expenses are deferred and amortized on a
  straight-line basis over a five-year period.  Amortization expense for the
  quarter ended June 30, 1997 was $31,092.







   6
               RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
                   Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
                               June 30, 1997   


  4.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

       The Investment Advisor for the Fund is registered as an investment
  advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.  Pursuant to an
  Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Advisor performs certain
  services, including certain management, investment advisory and
  administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund.  The
  Investment Advisor receives a fee equal to .4375% (1.75% annually) of the
  Net Assets each quarter.  The Fund accrued a liability of $180,269 for such
  operational management fees performed during the quarter ended June 30,
  1997.

       In addition, the Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Advisor an
  incentive fee equal to 20% of any net realized capital gains after
  allowance for any unrealized capital loss of the Fund.  This management
  incentive fee is calculated on an annual basis.


  5.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       As of June 30, 1997, there were 20,000,000 shares of $1 par value
  capital stock authorized, issued and outstanding $4,342,942, and capital
  paid-in aggregated $36,258,895.

       Year-to-date transactions in capital stock are as follows:
                                                         Shares       Amount 
                                                         ------       ------ 
       Balance December 31, 1996                       4,339,422  $40,561,989

          Shares issued
            Six months ended June 30, 1997:
              Shares issued in lieu of  
                 cash distributions                        3,520       39,848
                                                       ---------   ----------
       Balance September 30, 1996                      4,342,942  $40,601,837
                                                       =========   ==========

  6.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

       The Investment Adviser is reimbursed by the Fund for certain
  administrative expenses under the Investment Advisory Agreement.  Such
  reimbursements were $145,941 for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.

  7.  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

       Short-term investments are comprised of U. S. Government and Agency
  obligations maturing October 9, 1997.  Such investments qualify for
  investment as permitted in Section 55(a) (1) through (5) of the 1940 Act.







   7
               RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
                   Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
                               June 30, 1997   


  8.  INVESTMENTS   

       The Fund invests primarily in convertible preferred stocks of
  companies that qualify as Eligible Portfolio Companies as defined in
  Section 2(a) (46) of the 1940 Act or in securities that otherwise qualify
  for investment as permitted in Section 55(a) (1) through (5).  Under the
  provisions of the 1940 Act at least 70% of the Fund's assets must be
  invested in Eligible Portfolio Companies.  These stocks are carried on the
  Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 1997, at fair value, as
  determined in good faith by the Investment Adviser.  The stocks held by the
  Fund are convertible, generally after five years, into the common stock of
  the issuer at a set conversion price.  The common stock acquired upon
  exercise of the conversion feature is generally unregistered and is thinly
  to moderately traded but is not otherwise restricted.  The Fund generally
  may register and sell such securities at any time with the Fund paying the
  costs of registration.  Dividends are generally payable monthly.  The
  stocks generally have call options, usually commencing three years
  subsequent to issuance, at prices specified in the stock agreements.



                           INVESTMENT VALUATION SUMMARY
    
    
                                                                          CONVERSION       FAIR
                                                            COST        OR FACE VALUE      VALUE
                                                                                   
    BENTLEY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    12% Convertible Debenture                           $  744,800        $1,176,000    $1,176,000

    CONTOUR MEDICAL, INC.
    9% Convertible Debenture,                    
       Conversion price $5.00, maturity 7/1/03           2,500,000         3,843,750     3,843,750

    THE DWYER GROUP, INC.
    Common Stock                                         2,054,182         1,312,500     1,312,500

    INTEGRATED SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    9% Convertible Debenture,                    
       Conversion price $1.05, maturity 12/1/03          2,300,000         3,148,810     2,909,880







   8
                RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
                    Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
                                 June 30, 1997 


                           INVESTMENT VALUATION SUMMARY (continued)
    


    
                                                                          CONVERSION       FAIR
                                                            COST        OR FACE VALUE      VALUE
                                                                                   

    INTERSCIENCE COMPUTER CORPORATION     
    Series A Cumulative Convertible
       Redeemable Preferred Stock                        4,000,000         4,000,000     1,400,000

    INTILE DESIGNS, INC.
    Common Stock                                           500,000         1,125,000     1,007,500

    JAKKS PACIFIC, INC.
    9% Convertible Debenture,                    
       Conversion price $5.75, maturity 12/31/03         3,000,000         3,000,000     3,000,000

    PACKAGING RESEARCH CORP.
    9% Convertible Debenture
       Conversion price $1.50, maturity 1/1/03           2,901,665         2,901,665       150,000

    POORE BROTHERS, INC.
    9% Convertible Debenture
       Conversion price $1.09, maturity 7/1/02           1,788,571         3,897,116     3,613,289

    TOPRO, INC.
    9% Convertible Debenture
       Conversion price $1.50, maturity 3/1/03           2,500,000         3,385,417     3,132,292
    9% Convertible Debenture
       Conversion price $1.50, maturity 6/1/03           1,000,000         1,354,167     1,272,917
    Warrants @ $2.00                                             0            11,737        11,033

    VOICE IT WORLDWIDE, INC.
    8% Convertible Debenture
       Conversion price $.95, maturity 11/1/02           2,450,000         2,450,000     2,450,000
    Warrants                                                50,000            50,000        50,000
                                                         ---------         ---------     ---------
                                                       $25,789,218       $31,656,162   $25,329,161
                                                        ==========        ==========    ==========
    







   9

  ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
  ------  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.


  (1) Material Changes in Financial Condition

       Discuss material changes from end of preceding fiscal year to date of
  most recent interim balance sheet provided.  If necessary for an
  understanding, discuss seasonal fluctuations.
       
       For the quarter ending June 30, 1997, the Fund's net asset value was
  $40,676,585, or $9.37 per share.  In comparison to the first quarter of
  this year, net assets declined a total of $1,727,646, or $1.95 per share. 
  This decline reflects a lower overall valuation for those investments held
  in the Fund's portfolio.  The fair valuation of the entire portfolio at
  June 30, 1997 does not reflect the exercise of warrants, conversion of
  Convertible Debenture No. 1 or 2, and subsequent sales of common stock of
  Topro, Inc. as those transactions occurred in the third quarter (see
  related discussion below).

       The following portfolio transactions are noted for the quarter
  (portfolio companies are herein referred to as the "Company"):

       TOPRO, INC.  Subsequent to June 30, 1997, the Fund fully converted its
  Convertible Debenture No. 1 into common stock of the Company pursuant to
  the terms of Debenture No. 1, and partially converted its Convertible
  Debenture No. 2 into common stock of the Company pursuant to the terms of
  Debenture No. 2.  Debenture No. 1 had a face value of $1,500,000 and was
  convertible into 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a price
  of $1.50 per share.  After conversion, the Fund sold a total of 819,148
  shares resulting in proceeds to the Fund of $3,810,920, representing a
  capital gain of $2,582,198.  Debenture No. 2 has a face value of $1,000,000
  and is convertible into 666,667 shares of the Company's common stock at a
  price of $1.50 per share.  The Fund converted $499,500 of the debenture
  into 333,000 shares, and following the conversion, sold a total of 186,169
  shares, resulting in proceeds to the Fund of $1,337,369 and constituting a
  capital gain of $1,058,116.
       Also subsequent to June 30, 1997, the Fund exercised two warrants to
  buy 375,000 shares of common stock of the Company at a cost of $750,000. 
  Upon exercising the warrants, the Fund sold all 375,000 shares of common
  stock which resulted in proceeds to the Fund of $1,827,052, representing a
  capital gain of $1,077,052.
       In addition to the Fund's conversion of Convertible Debenture No. 1,
  Renaissance U.S. Growth & Income Trust PLC ("RUSGIT") converted a portion
  of its Convertible Debenture No. 1 into common stock of the Company
  pursuant to the terms of the RUSGIT debenture, and the stock was thereafter
  sold.  The RUSGIT conversion and sale of stock was made on a pari-passu
  basis with the Fund's conversion and sale of stock.







   10

       JAKKS PACIFIC, INC.  On May 1, 1997, the Company completed the sale of
  600,000 shares of common stock through an underwriting at a price of $5.75
  per share.  In accordance with the anti-dilutive provisions of the Fund's
  Convertible Debentures, the price at which the Fund may convert its
  debenture into common stock of the Company has been adjusted from $8.50 to
  $5.75 per share.

       PLAY BY PLAY TOYS & NOVELTIES, INC.  Effective July 3, 1997, the Fund
  invested $2,500,000 for the purchase of an 8% Convertible Debenture
  maturing in seven years and convertible into shares of common stock of the
  Company at $17.00 per share.  The Company designs, develops, markets and
  distributes stuffed toys and sculpted toy pillows for the toy industry.
       In addition to the Fund's investment, RUSGIT invested $2,500,000 in a
  Convertible Debenture of the Company.  The investment by RUSGIT was made
  under the same terms and conditions as the Fund's investment.


  (2) Material Changes in Operations

       Discuss material changes with respect to the most recent year-to-date
  period and corresponding period for prior year, if most recent quarter
  included also covers changes for quarterly period.

       During the second quarter, net investment income was $465,484, of
  which $254,295 represents costs recovered from Packaging Research Corp. and
  is reflected in interest income.  Total expenses were down $42,559 to
  $316,814 in comparison to the period ended March 31, 1997, primarily as a
  result of lower director's fees, legal expenses, and management fees, which
  expense declines were partially offset by increased tax and other expense.

       Pending investment in portfolio investments, funds are invested in
  temporary cash accounts and in government securities.  Although income and
  expenses are essentially stable, the Registrant anticipates that income
  will continue to increase as investments are made.  An aggressive search
  for potential investments is ongoing.

       For the period ended June 30, 1997, the Registrant made dividend
  distributions of income to the shareholders in the amount of $347,435 and
  accrued dividend payables to shareholders in the amount of $347,436.







   11

                                    SIGNATURES


       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
  the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                          RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.



  August 14, 1997                       /s/ Russell Cleveland
                             --------------------------------------------- 
                                          Russell Cleveland
                                              President 





  August 14, 1997                         /s/ Barbe Butschek
                             --------------------------------------------- 
                                            Barbe Butschek
                                   Corporate Secretary / Treasurer