<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000741513
<NAME>                                                PS PARTNERS III, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1
<CURRENCY>                                                            U.S.$
       
<S>                                                                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                           1
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<SECURITIES>                                                              0
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<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (7,164,000)
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         22.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         22.81
        

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