<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000741513
<NAME>                        PS PARTNERS III, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                  1
<CURRENCY>                                                                   US
       
<S>                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                      JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                        SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                               1
<CASH>                                                                  459,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
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<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  0
<INVENTORY>                                                                   0
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<PP&E>                                                               90,244,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     (34,882,000)
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<CHANGES>                                                                     0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             13.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             13.55
        

</TABLE>