<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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<ALLOWANCES>                                                               0
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<PP&E>                                                            83,233,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (36,789,000)
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<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          13.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          13.57
        

</TABLE>