<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SIERRA PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT FUND III MARCH 31, 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 12,365 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 12,365 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 12,365 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,251 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (360,003) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,365 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,665 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (15,595) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (15,595) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (15,595) <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0