SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III

        In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended September 30, 2003 that is accompanied
by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
        respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
        Issuer.



Date: November 19, 2003                           Ronald E. Robison
                                                  Principal Executive Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III and will be
retained by Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



                                       17




                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III

        In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended September 30, 2003 that is accompanied
by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
        respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
        Issuer.



Date: November 19, 2003                             Francis Smith
                                                    Principal Financial Officer



A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III and will be
retained by Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.




                                       18