<TABLE> <S> <C>

    <ARTICLE>                                                       5
    <LEGEND>
    This schedule contains summary financial information
    extracted from unaudited financial statements for the
    nine month period ending September 30, 1995 and is
    qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
    statements
    </LEGEND>
    <CIK>                                               0000711418
    <NAME>                Winthrop Residential Associates III 
    <MULTIPLIER>                                                    1
    <CURRENCY>                              U.S. Dollars
           
    <S>                                     <C>
    <PERIOD-TYPE>                           9-MOS
    <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1995
    <PERIOD-START>                          JAN-01-1995
    <PERIOD-END>                            SEP-30-1995
    <EXCHANGE-RATE>                                           1.00000
    <CASH>                                                  1,769,009
    <SECURITIES>                                                    0
    <RECEIVABLES>                                               8,044
    <ALLOWANCES>                                                    0
    <INVENTORY>                                                     0
    <CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        1,777,053
    <PP&E>                                                          0
    <DEPRECIATION>                                                  0
    <TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          2,233,108
    <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                     189,123
    <BONDS>                                                         0
    <COMMON>                                                        0
    <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                           0
    <PREFERRED>                                                     0
    <OTHER-SE>                                              2,043,985
    <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            2,233,108
    <SALES>                                                         0
    <TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          274,185
    <CGS>                                                           0
    <TOTAL-COSTS>                                                   0
    <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                           38,326
    <LOSS-PROVISION>                                                0
    <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                              0
    <INCOME-PRETAX>                                           235,859
    <INCOME-TAX>                                                    0
    <INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       235,859
    <DISCONTINUED>                                                  0
    <EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
    <CHANGES>                                                       0
    <NET-INCOME>                                              289,944
    <EPS-PRIMARY>                                              10.73 
    <EPS-DILUTED>                                               0.00 
            
    
</TABLE>