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 the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

                                       OR

              TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
          ---            SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                     For the transition period from ___ to ___


                                ----------------

                          Commission File No. 33-10122

                                ----------------


                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

                        State of Organization: California
                   IRS Employer Identification No. 94-3023671
                201 High Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06927
                           Telephone - (203) 357-3776

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,  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements
for the past 90 days.

                              Yes  X           No
                                  ---             ---

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes      No  X
                                                 ---     ---


                       This document consists of 14 pages.



                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

            FORM 10-Q - For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004




                                      INDEX



Part I.    Financial Information                                            Page


         Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)

            a)  Condensed Balance Sheets - March 31, 2004 and
                December 31, 2003..............................................3

            b)  Condensed Statements of Operations - Three Months
                Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003..................................4

            c)  Condensed Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (Deficit)
                - Year Ended December 31, 2003
                and Three Months Ended March 31, 2004..........................5

            d)  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months
                Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003..................................6

            e)  Notes to Condensed Financial Statements........................7

         Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                    Financial Condition and Results of Operations.............10

         Item 4.    Controls and Procedures...................................12



Part II.   Other Information

         Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.........................................13

         Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..........................13

         Signature  ..........................................................14


                                       2


                          Part I. Financial Information
                          -----------------------------

Item 1.    Financial Statements

                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                        March 31,   December 31,
                                                          2004          2003
                                                          ----          ----

ASSETS:

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                             $ 1,878,803   $ 2,524,997

OTHER RECEIVABLES                                           1,836         1,836

AIRCRAFT HELD FOR SALE                                    452,000       400,000

PREPAID EXPENSE                                            10,034          --
                                                      -----------   -----------

         Total Assets                                 $ 2,342,673   $ 2,926,833
                                                      ===========   ===========


LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT):

PAYABLE TO AFFILIATES                                 $   106,609   $    96,353

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED
    LIABILITIES                                            77,091        54,420
                                                      -----------   -----------

         Total Liabilities                                183,700       150,773
                                                      -----------   -----------

PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT):
    General Partner                                    (3,868,847)   (3,862,671)
    Limited Partners, 499,635 units in 2004
      and 499,683 units in 2003
      issued and outstanding                            6,027,820     6,638,731
                                                      -----------   -----------

         Total Partners' Capital                        2,158,973     2,776,060
                                                      -----------   -----------

         Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital      $ 2,342,673   $ 2,926,833
                                                      ===========   ===========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed statements.

                                       3



                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                        2004            2003
                                                        ----            ----

REVENUES:
   Rent from operating leases                         $    --         $ 467,928
   Interest                                               5,363           6,432
                                                      ---------       ---------

           Total Revenues                                 5,363         474,360
                                                      ---------       ---------

EXPENSES:
   Depreciation                                            --           331,419
   Write-up of aircraft held for sale                   (52,000)           --
   Management fees to general partner                      --            13,062
   Operating                                             43,238          11,735
   Administration and other                              76,009          63,413
                                                      ---------       ---------

           Total Expenses                                67,247         419,629
                                                      ---------       ---------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                     $ (61,884)      $  54,731
                                                      =========       =========

NET INCOME ALLOCATED TO
   THE GENERAL PARTNER                                $  49,344       $ 200,939
                                                      =========       =========

NET LOSS ALLOCATED TO
   LIMITED PARTNERS                                   $(111,228)      $(146,208)
                                                      =========       =========

NET LOSS PER LIMITED
   PARTNERSHIP UNIT                                   $   (0.22)      $   (0.29)
                                                      =========       =========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed statements.

                                       4



                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

         CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                            Year Ended December 31, 2003 and
                                            Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

                                          General        Limited
                                          Partner       Partners        Total
                                          -------       --------        -----

Balance, December 31, 2002              $(3,784,552)  $ 9,420,501   $ 5,635,949

    Net income (loss)                       199,561      (282,650)      (83,089)

    Cash distribution to
      partners ($5.00 per
      Limited Partnership Unit)            (277,680)   (2,499,120)   (2,776,800)
                                        -----------   -----------   -----------

Balance, December 31, 2003               (3,862,671)    6,638,731     2,776,060

    Net income (loss)                        49,344      (111,228)      (61,884)

    Cash distribution to
      partners ($1.00 per
      Limited Partnership Unit)             (55,520)     (499,683)     (555,203)
                                        -----------   -----------   -----------

Balance, March 31, 2004                 $(3,868,847)  $ 6,027,820   $ 2,158,973
                                        ===========   ===========   ===========


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed statements.

                                       5



                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                    Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                         2004          2003
                                                         ----          ----

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net (loss) income                               $   (61,884)  $    54,731
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
      net cash (used in) provided by operating
      activities:
       Depreciation                                         --         331,419
       Write-up of aircraft held for sale                (52,000)         --
         Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
           Decrease in rent and other receivables           --          57,855
           Increase in payable to affiliates              10,256        77,164
           Increase (decrease) in accounts
            payable and accrued liabilities               22,671       (16,537)
           Decrease in deferred income                      --        (107,928)
           Increase in other assets                      (10,034)         --
                                                     -----------   -----------

              Net cash (used in) provided by
                operating activities                     (90,991)      396,704
                                                     -----------   -----------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Cash distributions to partners                     (555,203)   (2,776,800)
                                                     -----------   -----------

              Net cash used in financing activities     (555,203)   (2,776,800)
                                                     -----------   -----------

CHANGES IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                    (646,194)   (2,380,096)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
     BEGINNING OF PERIOD                               2,524,997     4,118,926
                                                     -----------   -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
     END OF PERIOD                                   $ 1,878,803   $ 1,738,830
                                                     ===========   ===========


  The accomnpanying notes are an integral part of these condensed statements.

                                       6



                        POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                        A California Limited Partnership

                     NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)



Note 1.  Organization and the Partnership

Polaris Aircraft Income Fund III, A California Limited Partnership  (PAIF-III or
the  Partnership),  was formed on June 27, 1984 for the purpose of acquiring and
leasing  aircraft.  The Partnership  will terminate no later than December 2020.
Upon  organization,  both the General  Partner and the initial  Limited  Partner
contributed  $500 to capital.  The Partnership  recognized no profits and losses
during the periods  ended  December  31,  1984,  1985 and 1986.  The offering of
depositary  units  (Units),  representing  assignments  of  Limited  Partnership
interest,  terminated  on September 30, 1987 at which time the  Partnership  had
sold 500,000  units of $500,  representing  $250,000,000.  All unit holders were
admitted to the Partnership on or before  September 30, 1987 and are referred to
collectively  as the  Limited  Partners.  During  January  1998,  40 units  were
redeemed  by the  Partnership  in  accordance  with  section  18 of the  Limited
Partnership  Agreement.  During the three months ended March 31, 2004,  48 units
were abandoned. At March 31, 2004, there were 499,635 units outstanding,  net of
redemptions.

As of March 31,  2004,  the  Partnership  owned  four  aircraft  which are being
marketed for sale.  Upon  completion  of such sales,  the  Partnership  plans to
liquidate all its assets in an orderly manner,  make a final  distribution,  and
terminate  the  Partnership  thereafter;  however,  it is  uncertain  when  this
liquidation  will occur.  The General Partner is actively seeking buyers for the
aircraft;  however the actual  timing for  completing  such sales and the prices
obtained will depend upon a number of factors outside the control of the General
Partner,  including  market  conditions.  Thus,  there can be no assurance as to
either the timing of such sales or whether  such sales may be completed on terms
deemed  favorable to the  Partnership.  However,  the General Partner intends to
seek to complete such sales during calendar year 2004.

Polaris Investment  Management  Corporation  (PIMC), the sole General Partner of
the  Partnership,  supervises  the  day-to-day  operations  of the  Partnership.
Polaris Depository Company III (PDC) serves as the depositary.  PIMC and PDC are
wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of  Polaris  Aircraft  Leasing  Corporation  (PALC).
Polaris  Holding Company (PHC) is the parent company of PALC.  General  Electric
Capital Corporation (GE Capital), an affiliate of General Electric Company, owns
100% of PHC's  outstanding  common  stock.  PIMC  has  entered  into a  services
agreement  dated as of July 1,  1994 with GE  Capital  Aviation  Services,  Inc.
(GECAS). Amounts paid and allocations to affiliates are described in Notes 3 and
4.


Note 2.    Accounting Principles and Policies

In the opinion of  management,  the  condensed  financial  statements  presented
herein  include all  adjustments,  consisting  only of normal  recurring  items,
necessary to summarize fairly the Partnership's  financial  position and results
of operations.  The financial  statements  have been prepared in accordance with
the  instructions  of the  Quarterly  Report  to  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (SEC) Form 10-Q.  The condensed  balance sheet at December 31, 2003,
has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not

                                       7


include all of the  information  and note  disclosures  required  by  accounting
principles  generally  accepted in the United States  (GAAP).  These  statements
should be read in  conjunction  with the financial  statements and notes thereto
for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2003,  2002,  and  2001  included  in the
Partnership's 2003 Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K.


Note 3.    Related Parties

Under the Partnership Agreement (the Agreement), the Partnership paid or agreed
to pay the following amounts for the current quarter to the General Partner,
PIMC, in connection with services rendered or payments made on behalf of the
Partnership:

                                Payments made during the
                                   Three Months Ended         Payable at
                                     March 31, 2004         March 31, 2004
                                     --------------         --------------

Out-of-Pocket Operating
    Expense Reimbursement             $     14,107           $     42,476

Out-of-Pocket Administrative
    Expense Reimbursement                   82,246                 64,133
                                      ------------            -----------

                                      $     96,353           $    106,609
                                      ============           ============


Note 4.    Partners' Capital

The Agreement  stipulates  different  methods by which revenue,  income and loss
from  operations and gain or loss on the sale of aircraft are to be allocated to
the General Partner and the Limited  Partners.  Such  allocations are made using
income or loss calculated under GAAP for book purposes, which varies from income
or loss calculated for tax purposes.

Cash  available  for  distributions,  including  the  proceeds  from the sale of
aircraft,  is  distributed  10% to the  General  Partner  and 90% to the Limited
Partners.

The different methods of allocating items of income, loss and cash available for
distribution  combined with the calculation of items of income and loss for book
and  tax  purposes  result  in  book  basis  capital   accounts  that  may  vary
significantly  from tax basis capital  accounts.  The ultimate  liquidation  and
distribution  of remaining cash will be based on the tax basis capital  accounts
following liquidation, in accordance with the Agreement.


Note 5.    Aircraft and Depreciation

The Partnership periodically reviews the estimated realizability of the residual
values at the projected end of each  aircraft's  economic life. For any downward
adjustment in estimated  residual  value or decrease in the projected  remaining
economic life, the depreciation  expense over the projected  remaining  economic
life of the aircraft will be increased.

Aircraft on lease were carried at cost unless deemed impaired, in which case the
asset was recorded at fair value. Aircraft on lease were deemed impaired, if the
projected  net cash flow for each aircraft  (projected  rental  revenue,  net of
management  fees, less projected  maintenance  costs, if any, plus the estimated

                                       8


residual value) was less than the carrying value of the aircraft.  An impairment
loss was recognized  equal to the  difference  between the net carrying value of
the asset and its fair value.

Aircraft  held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less cost
to sell.  During  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  2004,  the  Partnership
recognized a write-up of $52,000 in the carrying value of aircraft held for sale
due to changes in  estimated  fair market  values  based on the current  selling
price of similar  aircraft.  The  adjustment to increase the net carrying  value
does not result in a net  carrying  value in excess of the original net carrying
value of the  assets  when  they  were  initially  designated  as held for sale.
Management believes the assumptions related to the fair value of impaired assets
represent the best estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and
projections.



                                       9




Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

Business Overview

At  March  31,  2004,   Polaris  Aircraft  Income  Fund  III  (PAIF-III  or  the
Partnership) owned a portfolio of four used McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 commercial
jet  aircraft  (DC-9-30)  out of its original  portfolio  of 38 aircraft.  These
DC-9-30  aircraft  were being  stored in New Mexico and were being  marketed for
sale. The  Partnership  plans to liquidate all its assets in an orderly  manner,
make a final distribution, and terminate the Partnership thereafter; however, it
is uncertain when this  liquidation  will occur. The General Partner is actively
seeking buyers for the aircraft;  however the actual timing for completing  such
sales and the prices  obtained will depend upon a number of factors  outside the
control of the General Partner, including market conditions.  Thus, there can be
no  assurance as to either the timing of such sales or whether such sales may be
completed on terms deemed  favorable to the  Partnership.  However,  the General
Partner intends to seek to complete such sales during calendar year 2004.


Partnership Operations

The Partnership recorded a net loss of $61,844,  which resulted in a net loss of
$0.22 per Limited  Partnership  Unit, for the three months ended March 31, 2004,
compared  to net income of  $54,731,  which  resulted in a net loss of $0.29 per
Limited  Partnership unit, for the three months ended March 31, 2003.  Variances
in net  income  may not  correspond  to  variances  in net  income  per  Limited
Partnership  Unit due to the  allocation  of  components  of income  and loss in
accordance with the Partnership Agreement

The decrease in net income is primarily  due to an absence of rental  income,  a
decrease  in interest  income  along with an  increase  in  operating  expenses,
partially  offset by a write-up of the carrying  value of aircraft held for sale
and an  absence of  depreciation  expense  and  management  fees to the  General
Partner, as discussed below.

The absence of rental income from operating leases during the three months ended
March 31,  2004,  as compared to $468,000 in the same period in 2003,  is due to
all lease terms having expired during 2003.

Interest  income  decreased  during the three months  ended March 31,  2004,  as
compared to the same period in 2003,  primarily due to lower  interest rates and
lower average cash balances.

Aircraft  held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less cost
to sell.  During  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  2004,  the  Partnership
recognized  income of $52,000,  or $0.10 per Limited  Partnership  Unit,  on the
write-up of the carrying value of two of its aircraft, which previously had been
reduced through additional depreciation expense as the result of past reviews of
estimated  market  values.  The estimated fair market value of the aircraft held
for sale at March  31 2004  was  based  the  current  selling  price of  similar
aircraft.  The carrying  value of the  Partnership's  two other aircraft was not
adjusted  at March  31,  2004  because  their  cost  basis  determined  at lease
expiration was less than the current estimated fair market value. No adjustments
to the market  value of aircraft  held for sale were made during the same period
in 2003.

The absence of  depreciation  expense and management fees to the General Partner
during the three months  ended March 31 2004,  as compared to the same period in
2003, was due to all lease terms having expired during 2003.

                                       10



Operating  expenses  increased  during the three months ended March 31, 2004, as
compared to the same period in 2003,  primarily due to  maintenance  and storage
related costs  associated  with the aircraft while they are being held for sale.
During  the three  months  ended  March 31,  2004,  four  aircraft  were held in
storage,  as compared to the same period in 2003 when one  aircraft  was kept in
storage.

Administration  and other  expense  increased  slightly  during the three months
ended March 31, 2004,  as compared to the same period in 2003,  generally due to
higher costs for printing, postage, legal and trustee fees.


Liquidity and Cash Distributions

Liquidity - No further  rent  payments  were due during the three  months  ended
March 31,  2004,  since all lease terms  expired  during 2003.  The  Partnership
received  all  payments  due from its sole  lessee,  TWA  Airlines  LLC, for the
aircraft remaining on lease during the three months ended March 31, 2003.

PIMC, the General Partner,  has determined that cash reserves be maintained as a
prudent  measure to ensure that the  Partnership has available funds for winding
up the affairs of the Partnership and for other  contingencies.  The Partnership
plans  to  liquidate  all  its  assets  in  an  orderly  manner,  make  a  final
distribution, and terminate the Partnership thereafter; however, it is uncertain
when this liquidation will occur. The General Partner is actively seeking buyers
for the aircraft;  however the actual timing for  completing  such sales and the
prices  obtained will depend upon a number of factors outside the control of the
General Partner, including market conditions. Thus, there can be no assurance as
to either the timing of such sales or  whether  such sales may be  completed  on
terms deemed favorable to the Partnership.  However, the General Partner intends
to seek to complete such sales during calendar year 2004. The Partnership's cash
reserves  will be  monitored  and may be  revised  from time to time as  further
information becomes available in the future.

Cash  Distributions - Cash  distributions  to Limited  Partners during the three
months  ended  March 31,  2004 and 2003  were  $499,683,  or $1.00  per  Limited
Partnership Unit, and $2,499,120,  or $5.00 per unit, respectively.  The General
Partner has determined  that it is in the best  interests of the  Partnership to
suspend any further cash distributions until the Partnership is in a position to
dissolve, wind up and terminate,  and make a final distribution of its remaining
cash.  In  reaching  this  conclusion,   the  General  Partner   considered  the
anticipated  costs of storing  and  insuring  the  aircraft  pending  sale,  the
anticipated  costs of  marketing  and  preparing  the  aircraft  for  sale,  the
anticipated costs of winding up the Partnership's  business,  the uncertainty as
to the period of time required to sell the aircraft and wind up the Partnership,
the uncertainty as to the terms on which the Partnership's  aircraft may be sold
and the  desirability  of  maintaining  a  prudent  level of cash  reserves  for
Partnership needs and contingencies.

The  Partnership  does not have any material off balance  sheet  commitments  or
obligations.


                                       11




Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

PIMC management reviewed the Partnership's  internal controls and procedures and
the  effectiveness  of these controls.  As of March 31, 2004,  PIMC  management,
including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial  Officer,  carried out
an  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  design  and  operation  of  the
Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-14(c) and
15d-14(c) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934.  Based upon that  evaluation,
the Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief  Financial  Officer  concluded  that the
Partnership's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are  effective  in  timely
alerting them to material information relating to the Partnership required to be
included in its periodic SEC filings.

(b) Change to internal controls

There  was no change  in the  Partnership's  internal  controls  over  financial
reporting  or in other  factors  during  the  Partnership's  last  quarter  that
materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the
Partnership's  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting.   There  were  no
significant  deficiencies  or material  weaknesses,  and therefore no corrective
actions taken.


                                       12



                           Part II. Other Information
                           --------------------------


Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

As  discussed  in Item 3 of Part I of Polaris  Aircraft  Income  Fund III's (the
Partnership) 2003 Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange  Commission (SEC)
on Form 10-K (Form 10-K), there are several pending legal actions or proceedings
involving  the  Partnership.  Except  as  described  below,  there  have been no
material developments with respect to any such actions or proceedings during the
period covered by this report.

Trans World Airlines,  Inc. (TWA) Bankruptcy - As previously  reported,  on June
25, 2002,  the TWA bankruptcy  estate  approved the  administrative  rent claims
filed by Polaris  Investment  Management  Corporation  (the General  Partner) on
behalf of the  Partnership  in the  amount  of  $465,277  in the TWA  bankruptcy
proceeding.  Such  administrative rent claims were to be paid to the Partnership
through  periodic  distributions  over a one to two year period starting on June
25,  2002.  As of this date,  only a portion of the  administrative  rent claims
totaling  $122,911 has been paid and it is  anticipated  by the General  Partner
that the remaining balance of the administrative rent claims will not be paid in
full until the next one to two years from March 30, 2004.

Other  Proceedings  - Item 10 in Part III of the  Partnership's  2003  Form 10-K
discusses  certain  actions  which have been filed  against  Polaris  Investment
Management  Corporation  and others in connection  with the sale of interests in
the Partnership and the management of the Partnership.  The Partnership is not a
party to these actions. There have been no material developments with respect to
any of the actions described therein during the period covered by this report.


Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         a) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K)

                31.1 CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
                     Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
                31.2 CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
                     Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
                32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
                     Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
                     of 2002.

         b) Reports on Form 8-K

                No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Registrant during
                the quarter for which this report is filed.


                                       13



                                    SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the  requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                  POLARIS AIRCRAFT INCOME FUND III,
                                  A California Limited Partnership
                                  (Registrant)

                                  By:  Polaris Investment
                                       Management Corporation,
                                       General Partner


May 14, 2004                      By:  /s/Stephen E. Yost
- ------------                           ------------------
                                       Stephen E. Yost, Chief Financial Officer



                                       14