<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the year ended March 30, 1998 Form 10-K Balance Sheets and Statements of 
Operations and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial 
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000856135
<NAME>         American Tax Credit Properties III
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
<CURRENCY>     US Dollars
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                               APR-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 MAR-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                              1.00
<CASH>                                       504
<SECURITIES>                                 3,065
<RECEIVABLES>                                22
<ALLOWANCES>                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             0
<PP&E>                                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               12,106
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,029
<BONDS>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
<PREFERRED>                                  0
<COMMON>                                     0
<OTHER-SE>                                   0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 12,106
<SALES>                                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             258
<CGS>                                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             549
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (2,649)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (2,649)
<DISCONTINUED>                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (2,649)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                (73.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                0