<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>  This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
          the quarter ended September 29, 1998, Form 10-Q 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>                US DOLLARS
       
<S>                                                                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                         MAR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                                            MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                                              SEP-29-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                                     1
<CASH>                                                                                            579
<SECURITIES>                                                                                    3,129
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                                      21
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                                                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                                    0
<PP&E>                                                                                              0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                                 11,338
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                           2,135
<BONDS>                                                                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                               0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                                          0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                                   11,338
<SALES>                                                                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                                  129
<CGS>                                                                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                                    (266)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                                (1,027)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                            (1,027)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                                   (1,027)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                                  (28.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                                       0
                                                                       


</TABLE>