UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
        For the quarterly period ended September 29, 2006

[ ]     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.: 1-7182-06

                     MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
       (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of trust)


       Delaware                                          13-7139561
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

  4 World Financial Center
     New York, New York                                   10080
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

COMMISSION FILE NO.: 1-7182-05

                     MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
                  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its
                      certificate of limited partnership)


          Delaware                                     13-3982448
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

   4 World Financial Center
      New York, New York                                     10080
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

 Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

The Registrants meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a)
and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this form with the reduced
disclosure format.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have 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 (or for such shorter period that the
Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer___   Accelerated Filer ___   Non-Accelerated Filer _X__


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [   ]    No [X]

As of November 8, 2006 no common stock was held by non-affiliates of the
Registrants.
================================================================================
<PAGE>

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                         ------------------------------

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
          --------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per security amounts)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                       September 29, 2006    December 30, 2005
                                                                                       ------------------    -----------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>                <C>
ASSETS

Investment in affiliate partnership preferred securities                               $  773,196            $  773,196
Interest receivable from affiliate                                                          13,531                     -
                                                                                       ----------            ----------
Total Assets                                                                           $  786,727            $  773,196
                                                                                       ==========            ==========

LIABILITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Distribution payable                                                                   $   13,531            $        -
                                                                                       ----------            ----------

Stockholders' equity:

   Preferred securities (7% Trust Originated Preferred Securities; 30,000,000
      authorized, issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation
      amount per security)                                                             $  750,000            $  750,000

   Common securities (7% Trust Common Securities;
      927,840 authorized, issued, and outstanding;
      $25 liquidation amount per security)                                                 23,196                23,196
                                                                                       ----------            ----------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                             $  773,196         $     773,196
                                                                                       ----------            ----------
Total Liability and Stockholders' Equity                                               $  786,727            $  773,196
                                                                                       ==========            ==========
</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                        2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                               FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                       ---------------------------------------

                                                                                       September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                       ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>
EARNINGS

Interest on affiliate partnership preferred securities                                 $  13,531             $  13,531
                                                                                       =========             =========


                                                                                              FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                       ---------------------------------------

                                                                                       September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                       ------------------   ------------------
EARNINGS

Interest on affiliate partnership preferred securities                                 $  40,593             $  40,593
                                                                                       =========             =========




</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements


                                        3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                              FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                       ---------------------------------------

                                                                                       September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                       ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>                  <C>
PREFERRED SECURITIES

Balance, beginning and end of period                                                   $  750,000           $  750,000
                                                                                       ----------           ----------

COMMON SECURITIES

Balance, beginning and end of period                                                       23,196               23,196
                                                                                       ----------           ----------

UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS

Balance, beginning of period                                                                    -                    -
Earnings                                                                                   40,593               40,593
Distributions                                                                             (27,062)             (40,593)
Distributions payable                                                                     (13,531)                   -
                                                                                       ----------           ----------
Balance, end of period                                                                          -                    -
                                                                                       ----------           ----------


Total Stockholders' Equity                                                             $  773,196           $  773,196
                                                                                       ==========           ==========
</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                        4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                              FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      ---------------------------------------

                                                                                      September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                      ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Earnings                                                                           $ 40,593             $    40,593
   Interest receivable from affiliate                                                  (13,531)                      -
                                                                                      --------             -----------
      Cash provided by operating activities                                             27,062                  40,593
                                                                                      --------             -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Distributions                                                                       (27,062)                (40,593)
                                                                                      --------             -----------
      Cash used for financing activities                                               (27,062)                (40,593)
                                                                                      --------             -----------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                                           -                       -

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                                    -                       -
                                                                                      --------             -----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD                                                                   $      -            $          -
                                                                                      ========             ===========



SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

Preferred and common distributions of $13,125 and $406, respectively, were
accrued at September 29, 2006. No distributions were accrued at
September 30, 2005.

</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                        5
<PAGE>



MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  (unaudited)
September 29, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") for the year ended
December 30, 2005. The December 30, 2005 balance sheet information was derived
from the audited financial statements. The interim condensed financial
statements for the three- and nine- month periods are unaudited; however, in the
opinion of the Regular Trustee of the Trust, all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair statement of the results of
operations, have been included.

INVESTMENTS

The Trust's investment in Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the
"Partnership") Preferred Securities represents a limited partnership interest in
the Partnership and is recorded at cost. At quarter end, the fair value of the
investment approximates its carrying value. Income on the Partnership Preferred
Securities is accrued when earned.

                                        6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                      September 29, 2006  December 30, 2005
                                                                                      ------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>                 <C>
ASSETS

Investments:
   Affiliate debentures                                                               $  900,547          $  900,547
   U.S. Government and agencies                                                            9,255               9,134
                                                                                      ----------          ----------
   Total investments                                                                     909,802             909,681
                                                                                      ----------          ----------

Interest receivable from affiliates                                                       15,760                   -
                                                                                      -----------         ----------

Total Assets                                                                          $  925,562          $  909,681
                                                                                      ==========          ==========

LIABILITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Distributions payable                                                                 $   15,760                   -
                                                                                      ----------          ----------

Partners' capital:
   Limited partnership interest                                                       $  773,196          $  773,196
   General partnership interest                                                          136,606             136,485
                                                                                      ----------          ----------
Total Partners' Capital                                                               $  909,802          $  909,681
                                                                                      ----------          ----------
Total Liability and Partners' Capital                                                 $  925,562          $  909,681
                                                                                      ==========          ==========
</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                        7
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      ---------------------------------------

                                                                                      September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                      ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                  <C>
EARNINGS

Interest income:
   Affiliate debentures                                                               $   15,760           $   15,760
   U.S. Government and agencies                                                              115                   71
                                                                                      ----------           ----------
Earnings                                                                              $   15,875           $   15,831
                                                                                      ==========           ==========


                                                                                             FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      ---------------------------------------
                                                                                      September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                      ------------------   ------------------
EARNINGS

Interest income:
   Affiliate debentures                                                               $   47,279           $   47,279
   U.S. Government and agencies                                                              312                  185
                                                                                      ----------           ----------
Earnings                                                                              $   47,591           $   47,464
                                                                                      ==========           ==========







</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements


                                        8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                            FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      ---------------------------------------

                                                                                      September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                      ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>                  <C>
LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL

Balance, beginning of period                                                          $  773,196           $  773,196
Net income allocated to limited partner                                                   40,593               40,593
Distributions                                                                            (27,062)             (40,593)
Distributions payable                                                                    (13,531)                   -
                                                                                      ----------           ----------
Balance, end of period                                                                   773,196              773,196
                                                                                      ----------           ----------


GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL

Balance, beginning of period                                                             136,485              136,466
Net income allocated to general partner                                                    6,998                6,871
Distributions                                                                             (4,648)              (6,791)
Distributions payable                                                                     (2,229)                   -
                                                                                      ----------           ----------
Balance, end of period                                                                   136,606              136,547
                                                                                      ----------           ----------

TOTAL PARTNERS' CAPITAL                                                               $  909,802           $  909,743
                                                                                      ==========           ==========
</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                        9
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                           FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                     ---------------------------------------

                                                                                     September 29, 2006   September 30, 2005
                                                                                     ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                  <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Earnings                                                                          $  47,591            $  47,464
   Accretion of U.S. Government and agencies                                              (312)                (185)
   Interest receivable from affiliates                                                 (15,760)                   -
                                                                                     ---------            ---------
      Cash provided by operating activities                                             31,519               47,279
                                                                                     ---------            ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchase of Investment Securities                                                    (9,096)              (9,096)
   Maturities of Investment Securities                                                   9,287                9,201
                                                                                     ---------            ---------
      Cash provided by investing activities                                                191                  105
                                                                                     ---------            ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Distributions to limited partner                                                    (27,062)             (40,593)
   Distributions to general partner                                                     (4,648)              (6,791)
                                                                                     ---------             ---------
      Cash used for financing activities                                               (31,710)             (47,384)
                                                                                     ---------            ---------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                                           -                    -

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                                    -                    -
                                                                                     ---------            ---------
CASH, END OF PERIOD                                                                  $       -            $       -
                                                                                     =========            =========



SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

A distribution of $15,760 was accrued at September 29, 2006.
No distribution was accrued at September 30, 2005.

</TABLE>

See Note to Condensed Financial Statements

                                       10
<PAGE>


MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  (unaudited)
September 29, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership") for the year
ended December 30, 2005. The December 30, 2005 balance sheet information was
derived from the audited financial statements. The interim condensed financial
statements for the three- and nine- month periods are unaudited; however, in the
opinion of the General Partner of the Partnership, all adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair statement of the results
of operations, have been included.

INVESTMENTS

The Partnership's investment in affiliate debentures, which is recorded at cost,
and its investment in U.S. Government and agencies, which is recorded at
accreted cost and which matures within one year, are classified as
available-for-sale, which both approximate fair value.

                                       11
<PAGE>

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

No disclosure is required for this Item pursuant to General Instruction H of
Form 10-Q.  There are no material changes in the amount of revenue and expense
items between the most recent fiscal year-to-date period presented and the
corresponding year-to-date period in the preceding fiscal year.



ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

No disclosure is required for this Item pursuant to General Instruction H of
Form 10-Q.



ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The persons who function as the equivalent of the chief executive officer and
chief financial officer of the Trust and the Partnership have evaluated the
effectiveness of the Trust's and the Partnership's disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that
evaluation, the persons who function as the equivalent of the chief executive
officer and chief financial officer of the Trust and the Partnership have
concluded that the Trust's and the Partnership's disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

In addition, no change in the Trust's and the Partnership's internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the third fiscal quarter of 2006 that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Trust's or the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting.





                                       12
<PAGE>



                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

         12   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
              Preferred Securities Distributions.

         31.1 Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification.

         31.2 Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification.

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

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








                                       13
<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                               MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III*

                               By: /s/ MARLENE DEBEL
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                               Name:   MARLENE DEBEL
                               Title:  Regular Trustee


                               MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.*


                               By: MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., as General Partner

                               By: /s/ KATHLEEN SKERO
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                               Name:   Kathleen Skero
                               Title:  Controller, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.



November 8, 2006
----------------

* There is no principal executive officer(s), principal financial officer,
controller, principal accounting officer or board of directors of the
Registrants. The Trustees of the Trust (which include the Regular Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) together exercise all powers and
perform all functions with respect to the Trust.



                                       14
<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBITS

12       Computation  of  Ratios of  Earnings  to  Combined  Fixed  Charges  and
         Preferred Securities Distributions.

31.1     Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification.

31.2     Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification.

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

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




                                       15