<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
quarter  ended  March  30,  1997  Form 10K  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>                                                                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                       MAR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                          APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                            MAR-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1.00
<CASH>                                                                          409
<SECURITIES>                                                                  2,855
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                    25
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                                                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                  0
<PP&E>                                                                            0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                               15,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                         2,993
<BONDS>                                                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                                       0
<COMMON>                                                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                 15,504
<SALES>                                                                           0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                317
<CGS>                                                                             0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                     0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                526
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                              (2,719)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                      0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                          (2,719)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                 (2,719)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                (75.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                     0
                                                                                 


</TABLE>