SOUTHWEST PARTNERS III L P
10-Q, 1999-11-12
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                               Page 15 of 15
                                FORM 10-Q


                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

(Mark One)

(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999

                                    OR

( )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission file number 000-24181


                       Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                  (Exact name of registrant as specified
                  in its limited partnership agreement)

Delaware                                       75-2699554________
(State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)


                       407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300
                           Midland, Texas 79701
                 (Address of principal executive offices)

                             (915) 686-9927
                     (Registrant's telephone number,
                           including area code)

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether registrant (1)  has  filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange  Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject  to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

                            Yes   X   No

        The total number of pages contained in this report is 15.







<PAGE>

                     PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

The  Registrant (herein also referred to as the "Partnership" has  prepared
the  unaudited condensed financial statements included herein in accordance
with   generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for  interim  financial
information  and  with  the instructions to Form 10-Q  and  Rule  10-01  of
Regulation  S-X.   Accordingly, they do not include all of the  information
and  footnotes  required  by generally accepted accounting  principles  for
complete   financial  statements.   In  the  opinion  of  management,   all
adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of
a  normal  recurring nature.  The financial statements should  be  read  in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto for
the  year ended December 31, 1998 which are found in the Registrant's  Form
10-K  Report  for  1998 filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.
The December 31, 1998 balance sheet included herein has been taken from the
Registrant's  1998 Form 10-K Report.  Operating results for the  three  and
nine  month periods ended September 30, 1999 are not necessarily indicative
of the results that may be expected for the full year.






































<PAGE>

                       Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                              Balance Sheets



                                      September 30,    December 31,
                                           1999            1998
                                           ----            ----
                                       (Unaudited)
  Assets

Current asset:
 Cash and cash equivalents              $  389,894        381,545
                                          ----------     ----------
        Total current assets               389,894        381,545
                                          ----------     ----------

Equity investment in subsidiary                  -      2,005,000
                                          ----------   ----------
                                         $  389,894     2,386,545
                                          ==========   ==========

  Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liabilities:
 Payable to General Partner and subsidiary $     234,906     138,938
                                              ----------  ----------
         Total current liabilities               234,986      138,938
                                              ----------   ----------
Partners' equity:
 General Partner                         (893,578)      (579,685)
 Limited partners                        1,048,566      2,827,292
                                        ----------     ----------
          Total partners' equity           154,988      2,247,607
                                        ----------     ----------
                                        $  389,894      2,386,545
                                        ==========     ==========

















<PAGE>

                       Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                          Statement of Operations
                                (Unaudited)

                                Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,          September 30,
                                  1999       1998       1999        1998
  Revenues                        ----       ----       ----        ----

Interest income               $    2,795      3,077      8,349      8,593
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
                                               2,795      3,077       8,349
8,593
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
  Expenses

General and administrative        30,408     35,926     95,968    104,656
Amortization                           -      3,947          -     11,841
Equity loss in unconsolidated
 subsidiary                            -  1,333,760  2,005,000   2,877,119
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
                                              30,408  1,373,633   2,100,968
2,993,616
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
Net       loss                            $      (27,613)       (1,370,556)
(2,092,619)                   (2,985,023)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
Net loss allocated to:

 General Partner              $  (4,142)  (204,991)  (313,893)   (445,977)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
      Limited      partners                 $     (23,471)      (1,165,565)
(1,778,726)                   (2,539,046)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
  Per limited partner unit    $    (137)    (6,819)   (10,406)   (14,855)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========























<PAGE>

                        Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                          Statement of Cash Flows
                                (Unaudited)

                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                                        Sep
tember 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:       1999           1998
                                                           ----       ----
 Cash paid to Managing General Partner
  for administrative fees               $        -           (33)
 Interest received                           8,349          8,593
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
  Net cash provided by operating activities            8,349          8,560
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:

 Organization costs                              -       (63,514)
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
  Net cash used in investing activities          -      (63,514))
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:

     Capital    contributed    by    limited    partners                  -
(6,250)
 Repayment of notes receivable from
  Limited partners                               -         37,580
 Syndication costs                               -       (98,837)
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
  Net cash used in financing activities          -       (67,507)
                                                                  ---------
- ---------

Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash equivalents                8,349      (122,461)

 Beginning of period                       381,545        501,086
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
 End of period                          $  389,894        378,625
                                                                  =========
=========


Reconciliation of net loss to net cash
 provided by operating activities:

Net loss                                $(2,092,619)   (2,985,023)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
 cash provided by operating activities:

  Amortization                                   -         11,841
  Undistributed loss of affiliate        2,005,000      2,877,119
  Increase in accounts payable              95,968        104,623
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities        $     8,349          8,560
                                                                  =========
========


<PAGE>

                       Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


1.   Organization
     Southwest  Partners III, L.P. (the "Partnership") was organized  under
     the laws of the State of Delaware on March 11, 1997 for the purpose of
     investing  in  or acquiring oil field service companies  assets.   The
     Partnership  intends  to  wind up its operations  and  distribute  its
     assets  or the proceeds therefrom on or before December 31,  2008,  at
     which  time the Partnership's existence will terminate, unless  sooner
     terminated or extended in accordance with the terms of the Partnership
     Agreement.   Southwest Royalties, Inc., a Delaware corporation  formed
     in  1983, is the General Partner of the Partnership.  Revenues,  costs
     and expenses are allocated as follows:

                                            Limited     General
                                            Partners    Partner
                                            --------    -------
     Interest income on capital contributions(1)         (1)
     All other revenues                      85%         15%
     Organization and offering costs        100%           -
     Syndication costs                      100%           -
     Amortization of organization costs     100%           -
     Gain or loss on property disposition    85%         15%
     Operating and administrative costs      85%         15%
     All other costs                         85%         15%

     After  payout, allocations will be seventy-five (75%) to  the  limited
     partners and twenty-five (25%) to the General Partner.  Payout is when
     the  limited partners have received an amount equal to one hundred ten
     percent (110%) of their limited partner capital contributions.

     (1)   Interest   earned  on  promissory  notes  related   to   Capital
     Contributions is allocated to the specific holders of those notes.

     Method of Allocation of Administrative Costs

     For  the  purpose  of  allocating Administrative Costs,  the  Managing
     General  Partner  will  allocate  each  employee's  time  among  three
     divisions:  (1) operating partnerships; (2) corporate activities;  and
     (3)  currently offered or proposed partnerships.  The Managing General
     Partner  determines  a  percentage of total Administrative  Costs  per
     division  based on the total allocated time per division and personnel
     costs  (salaries)  attributable to such time.   Within  the  operating
     partnership  division, Administrative Costs are further  allocated  on
     the  basis  of the total capital of each partnership invested  in  its
     operations.









<PAGE>

                       Southwest Partners III, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
     The  interim financial information as of September 30, 1999,  and  for
     the  three  and  nine months ended September 30, 1999,  is  unaudited.
     Certain  information  and footnote disclosures  normally  included  in
     financial  statements prepared in accordance with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q
     pursuant  to the rules and regulations of the Securities and  Exchange
     Commission.   However,  in  the opinion of management,  these  interim
     financial  statements include all the necessary adjustments to  fairly
     present  the  results of the interim periods and all such  adjustments
     are  of  a  normal recurring nature.  The interim financial statements
     should  be  read in conjunction with the audited financial  statements
     for the year ended December 31, 1998.

3.   Investments
     The Partnerships investment in Sierra upon recording their portion  of
     Sierra's losses for the six months ended June 30, 1999 was reduced  to
     zero.  Therefore, according to General Accepted Accounting Principles,
     the  equity  method was suspended.  The Partnership  will  not  record
     their  ownership percentage of Sierra's losses beyond June  30,  1999.
     If  Sierra  subsequently begins to report net income, the  Partnership
     will  resume  applying the equity method only after its share  of  net
     income equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period
     the equity method is suspended.

     Following  is  a  summary  of the financial position  and  results  of
     operations of Sierra Well Service, Inc. as of September 30,  1999  and
     December 31, 1998 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
     the year ended December 31, 1998 (in thousands):

                                                 1999       1998
                                                 ----       ----
     Current assets                        $     8,130     11,828
     Property and equipment, net                38,657     45,015
     Other assets, net                          20,989     24,197
                                                ------     ------
     Total assets                          $    67,776     81,040
                                                ======     ======
     Current liabilities                   $     5,346     58,330
     Long-term debt                             50,410        650
     Deferred income taxes                           -      3,724
                                                ------     ------
                                           $    55,756     62,704
                                                ======     ======
     Stockholders' equity                  $    12,020     18,336
                                                ======     ======
     Sales                                 $    25,761     36,185
                                                ======     ======
     Net loss                              $   (8,214)    (5,024)
                                                ======     ======





<PAGE>

Item 2.   Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition  and
          Results of Operations

Southwest Partners III

General
Southwest   Partners  III,  L.P.,  a  Delaware  limited  partnership   (the
"Partnership"),  was  formed on March 11, 1997 to  invest  in  Sierra  Well
Service,  Inc.  ("Sierra"),  an  oilfield service  company  which  provides
services   and  products  to  oil  and  gas  operators  for  the  workover,
maintenance  and plugging of existing oil and gas wells in the southwestern
United  States.  As of September 30, 1999, the Partnership  owned  a  33.8%
interest  in  Sierra,  which is accounted for using the  equity  method  of
accounting.   The  equity  method  adjusts  the  carrying  value   of   the
Partnership's   investment   by  its  proportionate   share   of   Sierra's
undistributed earnings or losses for each respective period.

Results of Operations
For the quarter ended September 30, 1999

Revenues
Revenues  consisted of interest income.  Interest income  generated  $2,795
for  the  quarter ended September 30, 1999 as compared to  $3,077  for  the
quarter ended September 30, 1998.

Expenses
Direct  expenses  totaled  $30,408  and  $39,873  for  the  quarters  ended
September  30,  1999 and 1998, respectively, and consisted of  general  and
administrative  expenses and $3,947 amortization expense  for  the  quarter
ended  September  30,1998.  General and administrative  expenses  represent
management fees paid to the Managing General Partner for costs incurred  to
operate the partnership.

Equity  in  loss of unconsolidated subsidiary - See Footnote 3  Investments
and  Sierra's Management Discussion and Analysis section included  in  this
report.

Results of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 1999

Revenues
Revenues  consisted of interest income.  Interest income  generated  $8,349
for  the nine months ended September 30, 1999 as compared to $8,593 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998.

Expenses
Direct  expenses  totaled $95,968 and $116,497 for the  nine  months  ended
September  30,  1999 and 1998, respectively, and consisted of  general  and
administrative  expenses  and $11,841 amortization  expense  for  the  nine
months  ended  September  30,1998.   General  and  administrative  expenses
represent  management fees paid to the Managing General Partner  for  costs
incurred to operate the partnership.

Equity  in  loss  of unconsolidated subsidiary of $2,005,000  reflects  the
Partnership's  weighted average proportionate share of the $4,818,680  loss
by  Sierra  in the amount of $1,657,626 for the period and the amortization
of  goodwill  in  relation  to the Partnerships  investment  in  Sierra  of
$347,373.  Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary for the nine  months
ended  September  30, 1998 was $2,877,119.  For an explanation  as  to  the
decrease in equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary see Footnote 3  and
Sierra's  Management  Discussion  and Analysis  section  included  in  this
report.
<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  proceeds from the sale of partnership units in March 1997  funded  the
Partnership's  investment  in Sierra.  The Partnership  did  not  sell  any
additional  partnership  units  or  invest  additional  amounts  in  Sierra
subsequent to December 31, 1997.

Net  Cash  Provided  by  Operating  Activities.   Cash  flows  provided  by
operating activities for the period consisted primarily of interest  income
from a financial institution of $8,349.

Net  Cash Used in Investing Activities.  There were no amounts provided  by
or  used  in  investing activities for the nine months ended September  30,
1999.

Net  Cash Used in Financing Activities.  There were no amounts provided  by
or  used  in  financing activities for the nine months ended September  30,
1999.

Liquidity - Equity Investment in Subsidiary

Sierra has a highly leveraged capital structure.  Sierra, on March 31, 1999
finalized a restructuring of its debt with their lender.  The restructuring
of  Sierra's debt with its lender provides for a senior subordinated credit
facility and three classes of preferred stock.  According to the redemption
and/or  conversion  features of the three classes of  preferred  stock,  if
Sierra  does  not  meet  repayment of scheduled  senior  subordinated  debt
starting  at  December 31, 1999 with final payment due June 30,  2004,  the
lender  has the right to exercise their conversion features. The conversion
amount  as  a  percentage of post-conversion outstanding common  stock  can
range  from 25% to 100%.  Therefore, the Partnership's investment in Sierra
is  subject to possible future dilution and/or elimination as a  result  of
the convertible preferred stock held by Sierra's lender.  The Partnership's
ownership  percentage in Sierra decreased from 45.89% to  34.40%  upon  the
signing of Sierra's debt restructuring at March 31, 1999.

Liquidity - Managing General Partner

The  Managing General Partner has a highly leveraged capital structure with
over  $21.0 million of interest payments due within the next twelve  months
on  its  debt obligations.  Due to the severely depressed commodity  prices
experienced  by  the oil & gas industry during the last  quarter  of  1997,
throughout  1998 and continuing throughout the first quarter  of  1999  and
lagging  rental  property  utilization, the  Managing  General  Partner  is
experiencing  difficulty in generating sufficient cash  flow  to  meet  its
obligations  and sustain its operations.  The Managing General  Partner  is
currently  in  the process of attempting to renegotiate the  terms  of  its
various  obligations  with  its creditors and/or  attempting  to  seek  new
lenders  or  equity investors.  Additionally, the Managing General  Partner
would   consider  disposing  of  certain  assets  in  order  to  meet   its
obligations.

There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the Managing  General  Partner's  debt
restructuring efforts will be successful or that the lenders will agree  to
a   course   of  action  consistent  with  the  Managing  General  Partners
requirements  in restructuring the obligations.  Even if such agreement  is
reached,  it  may  require approval of additional  lenders,  which  is  not
assured.   Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the sales of  assets
can  be  successfully  accomplished on terms  acceptable  to  the  Managing
General   Partner.   Under  current  circumstances,  the  Managing  General
Partner's  ability to continue as a going concern depends upon its  ability
to  (1)  successfully  restructure  its obligations  or  obtain  additional
financing  as  may  be  required, (2) maintain  compliance  with  all  debt
covenants, (3) generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations  on  a
timely  basis, and (4) achieve satisfactory levels of future earnings.   If
the  Managing  General Partner is unsuccessful in its efforts,  it  may  be
unable to meet its obligations making it necessary to undertake such  other
actions as may be appropriate to preserve asset values.
<PAGE>
Information Systems for the Year 2000
The  Managing  General Partner provides all data processing  needs  of  the
Partnership.  The Managing General Partner has identified and assessed  its
exposure  to the potential Year 2000 software and imbedded chip  processing
and  date  sensitivity issue.  Through the Managing General  Partners  data
processing  subsidiary,  Midland Southwest  Software,  Inc.,  the  Managing
General   Partner  proactively  initiated  an  internal  plan  to  identify
applicable hardware and software, assess impact and effect, estimate costs,
construct and implement corrective actions, and prepare contingency plans.

Identification & Assessment
The  Managing General Partner currently believes it identified the internal
and  external  software  and  hardware that  had  the  potential  for  date
sensitivity   problems.   Four  critical  systems  and/or  functions   were
identified  and addressed:  (1) the proprietary software of the Partnership
(OGAS)  that  is  used  for  oil & gas property  management  and  financial
accounting  functions, (2) the DEC VAX/VMS hardware and  operating  system,
(3)  various  third-party  application software  including  lease  economic
analysis,   fixed   asset   management,   geological   applications,    and
payroll/human resource programs, and (4) External Agents.

The   proprietary   software  of  the  Partnership   has   met   compliance
requirements.  Since this is an internally generated software package,  the
Managing  General  Partner  incurred approximately  $25,000  in  man-hours.
Modifications were made by internal staff and did not represent  additional
costs  to  the  Partnership.  The Managing General  Partner  has  not  made
contingency  plans at this time since the conversion is ahead  of  schedule
and   being  handled  by  Managing  General  Partner  controlled   internal
programmers.  Given the complexity of the systems that were modified, it is
anticipated  that  some  problems  may arise,  but  having  met  the  early
completion  date,  the Managing General Partner feels  that  adequate  time
remains available to overcome unforeseen delays.

DEC has released a fully compliant version of its operating system that  is
used  by  the  Partnership on the DEC VAX system.  It  was  installed,  the
Managing  General Partner believes that this solved any potential  problems
on the system.

The  Managing  General Partner has identified various third-party  software
that may have date sensitivity problems and is continuing to work with  the
vendors  to  secure solutions as well as prepare contingency plans.   After
review  and evaluation of the vendor plans and status, the Managing General
Partner believes that the problems will be resolved prior to the year  2000
or   the  alternate  contingency  plan  will  sufficiently  and  adequately
remediate  the problem so that there is no material disruption to  business
functions.

The  External  Agents  of  the  Partnership include  suppliers,  customers,
owners,  vendors, banks, product purchasers including pipelines, and  other
oil  and  gas property operators.  The Managing General Partner is  in  the
process of identifying and communicating with each critical External  Agent
about  its  plan  and progress thereof in addressing the Year  2000  issue.
This process is on schedule and the Managing General Partner, at this time,
believes  that  there  should  be no material  interference  or  disruption
associated with any of the critical External Agent's functions necessary to
the   Partnership's  business.   The  Managing  General  Partner  estimates
completion of this audit by year end 1999 and believes that alternate plans
can  be  devised to circumvent any material problems arising from  critical
External Agent noncompliance.


<PAGE>
Cost
To  date,  the Managing General Partner has incurred only minimal  internal
man-hour costs for identification, planning, and maintenance.  The Managing
General  Partner believes that the necessary additional costs will also  be
minimal  and most will fall under normal and general maintenance procedures
and updates.  An accurate cost cannot be determined at this time, but it is
expected  that  the total cost to remediate all systems  to  be  less  than
$50,000.

Risks/Contingency
The  failure to correct critical systems of the Partnership, or the failure
of  a  material business partner or External Agent to resolve critical Year
2000  issues  could  have a serious adverse impact on the  ability  of  the
Partnership  to  continue operations and meet obligations.   Based  on  the
Managing  General  Partner's  evaluation and  assessment  to  date,  it  is
believed  that any interruption in operation will be minor and  short-lived
and  pose no material monetary loss, safety, or environmental risk  to  the
Partnership.   However,  due  to  the  external  nature  of  the  potential
problems,  it  is  impossible to accurately identify  the  risks,  quantify
potential  impacts  or  establish a final contingency  plan.  The  Managing
General Partner believes that its assessment and contingency planning  will
be complete no later than year-end 1999.

Worst Case Scenario
The  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  requires  public  companies  to
forecast the most reasonably likely worst case Year 2000 scenario, assuming
that  the  Managing  General Partner's Year 2000  plan  is  not  effective.
Analysis  of the most reasonably likely worst case Year 2000 scenarios  the
Partnership  may face leads to contemplation of the following possibilities
which,  though  considered  highly  unlikely,  must  be  included  in   any
consideration  of worst cases: widespread failure of electrical,  gas,  and
similar   supplies   by  utilities  serving  the  Partnership;   widespread
disruption  of  the  services of communications  common  carriers;  similar
disruption to means and modes of transportation for the Partnership and its
employees, contractors, suppliers, and customers; significant disruption to
the  Partnership's  ability to gain access to,  and  continue  working  in,
office  buildings  and other facilities; and the failure, of  third-parties
systems,  the  effects  of which would have a cumulative  material  adverse
impact  on  the  Partnership's  critical systems.   The  Partnership  could
experience  an inability by customers, traders, and others  to  pay,  on  a
timely  basis or at all, obligations owed to the Partnership.  Under  these
circumstances, the adverse effect on the Partnership, and the diminution of
Partnership revenues, could be material, although not quantifiable at  this
time.



















<PAGE>

Item  2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition  and
Results of Operations - continued

Sierra Well Service, Inc.

General

Sierra  derives  its revenues from well servicing, liquids handling,  fresh
and  brine  water  supply  and disposal and other related  services.   Well
servicing rigs are billed at hourly rates that are generally determined  by
the  type  of equipment required, market conditions in the region in  which
the  well  servicing rig operates, ancillary equipment  and  the  necessary
personnel  provided on the rig.  Sierra charges its customers  for  liquids
handling  and  fresh  and brine water supply and disposal  services  on  an
hourly  or per barrel basis depending on the services offered.  Demand  for
services  depends substantially upon the level of activity in the  oil  and
gas  industry,  which  in turn depends, in part, on  oil  and  gas  prices,
expectations about future prices, the cost of exploring for, producing  and
delivering  oil and gas, the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves  in
on-shore areas, the level of drilling and workover activity and the ability
of oil and gas companies to raise capital.

Results of Operations
For the quarter ended September 30, 1999

Revenues
Sierra's revenues decreased to $10.0 million, or 4%, for the quarter  ended
September  30,  1999 as compared to $10.5 million for the  same  period  in
1998.   The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in oil  and
gas  prices,  which lowered rig utilization, and in turn  lowered  activity
levels.  In an effort to remain competitive, hourly rates were reduced.

Expenses
The  decline in revenues experienced in the oil and gas industry  has  also
caused  operating  expenses to decrease $716,000, or 6%,  for  the  quarter
ended  September  30, 1999 as compared to the same period  for  1998.   The
components of operating expenses consisted of decreases in cost of revenues
of  $19,000 and general and administrative decreases of $497,000.  Interest
expense  for the quarter ended September 30, 1999 decreased to $1.6 million
from $1.8 million for the same period 1998.

Results of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 1999

Revenues
Sierra's  revenues decreased to $25.8 million, or 28%, for the nine  months
ended  September 30, 1999 as compared to $36.2 million for the same  period
in 1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in oil and
gas  prices,  which lowered rig utilization, and in turn  lowered  activity
levels.  In an effort to remain competitive, hourly rates were reduced.

Expenses
The  decline in revenues experienced in the oil and gas industry  has  also
caused  operating expenses to decrease $7.4 million, or 20%, for  the  nine
months  ended September 30, 1999 as compared to the same period  for  1998.
The  components  of operating expenses consisted of decreases  in  cost  of
revenues of $6.0 million and general and administrative decreases  of  $1.1
million.   Interest  expense for the nine months ended September  30,  1999
decreased to $5.0 million from $5.3 million for the same period 1998.


<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  primary source of cash is from operations, the receipt of income  from
well  services provided.  Liquidity and capital resource information  below
is provided in thousands.

Net  Cash  Used  in  Operating Activities.  Cash flows  used  in  operating
activities  for  the  period consisted primarily of operating  expenses  in
excess of operating income of $556,000.

Net  Cash  Used  in  Investing Activities.  Cash flows  used  in  investing
activities totaled $87,000 for the period, and consisted primarily  of  the
purchase of property and equipment.

Net  Cash  Used  in  Financing Activities.  Cash flows  used  in  financing
activities totaled $1.5 million for the period.  The primary use  of  these
funds included $6.5 million used for payment of debt and debt related costs
net of $5.0 million in proceeds from issuance of preferred stock.

Liquidity - Equity Investment by Investors

Sierra  has a highly leveraged capital structure with primarily all of  its
outstanding debt due on March 31, 1999.  Sierra did not have the  available
working capital to meet this obligation, but on March 31, 1999 finalized  a
restructuring of its debt with the lender.  The restructuring  of  Sierra's
debt with its lender provides for a senior subordinated credit facility and
three  classes  of  preferred stock.  According to  the  redemption  and/or
conversion features of the three classes of preferred stock, if Sierra does
not  meet  repayment  of  scheduled senior subordinated  debt  starting  at
December 31, 1999 with final payment due June 30, 2004, the lender has  the
right  to  exercise their conversion features. The conversion amount  as  a
percentage of post-conversion outstanding common stock can range  from  25%
to  100%.  Therefore, the Partnership's investment in Sierra is subject  to
possible  future dilution and/or elimination as a result of the convertible
preferred  stock held by Sierra's lender.  The partnership's investment  in
Sierra could be reduced to zero. The Partnership's ownership percentage  in
Sierra  decreased from 45.89% to 34.40% upon the signing of  Sierra's  debt
restructuring at March 31, 1999.

Information Systems for the Year 2000

Sierra's  data processing needs are provided by the same system, which  the
Managing  General  Partner  uses through their data  processing  subsidiary
Midland Southwest Software, Inc.

















<PAGE>

                       PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

          None

Item 2.   Changes in Securities

          None

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

          None

Item 4.   Submission of Matter to a Vote of Security Holders

          None

Item 5.   Other Information

          None

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          (a)  Exhibits:

               27  Financial Data Schedule

               (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

                     No  reports on Form 8-K were filed during the  quarter
               for which this report is filed.

<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf  by  the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                              SOUTHWEST PARTNERS III, L.P.
                              a Delaware limited partnership


                              By:  Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                                   Managing General Partner


                              By:  /s/ Bill E. Coggin
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Bill E. Coggin, Vice President
                                   and Chief Financial Officer


Date:  November 15, 1999

<PAGE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Balance Sheet at September 30, 1999 (Unaudited) and the Statement of
Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 (Unaudited) and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         389,894
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               389,894
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 389,894
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          234,906
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     154,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   389,894
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,349
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                95,968
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,092,619)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,092,619)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,092,619)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (10,406)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (10,406)


</TABLE>


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