<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>  This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the quarter ended December
30, 1997 Form 10Q 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 L.P.
<MULTIPLIER>               1000
<CURRENCY>                0
       
<S>                                                                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                         MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                                            MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                                              DEC-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                                  1.00
<CASH>                                                                                            483
<SECURITIES>                                                                                    3,040
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                                      32
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                                                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                                    0
<PP&E>                                                                                              0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                                 12,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                           1,942    
<BONDS>                                                                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                               0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                                          0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                                   12,944
<SALES>                                                                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                                  197 
<CGS>                                                                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                                    (411)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                                (1,714)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                            (1,714)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                                   (1,714)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                                  (47.29) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                                       0