<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000741513
<NAME>                                                    PS PARTNERS III, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                  1
<CURRENCY>                                                                U.S.$
       
<S>                                                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                        JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                               1
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<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
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<PP&E>                                                               16,434,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                      (6,993,000)
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<CHANGES>                                                                     0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             13.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             13.57
        

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