SOUTHWEST PARTNERS III L P
10-Q, 1999-08-19
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                               Page 9 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 June 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
six month periods ended June 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



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

Current asset:
 Cash and cash equivalents              $  387,098        381,545
                                        ----------     ----------
        Total current assets               387,098        381,545
                                        ----------     ----------

Equity investment in subsidiary                  -      2,005,000
                                        ----------     ----------
                                        $  387,098      2,386,545
                                        ==========     ==========

  Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liabilities:
 Payable to General Partner and subsidiary       $     204,496     138,938
                                                       --------  ----------
               Total current liabilities               204,496     138,938
                                        ----------               ----------
Partners' equity:
 General Partner                         (889,436)      (579,685)
 Limited partners                        1,072,038      2,827,292
                                         ----------               ----------
        Total partners' equity             182,602      2,247,607
                                         ----------               ----------
                                        $  387,098      2,386,545
                                         ==========               ==========

















<PAGE>

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

                                Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,               June 30,
                                  1999       1998       1999        1998
  Revenues                        ----       ----       ----        ----

Interest income               $    2,764      2,680      5,553      5,517
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
                                               2,764      2,680       5,553
5,517
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
  Expenses

General and administrative        34,100     38,482     65,559     68,731
Amortization                           -      3,947          -      7,894
Equity loss in unconsolidated
 subsidiary                      960,764    778,907  2,004,999   1,543,359
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
                                             994,864    821,336   2,070,558
1,619,984
                                           ---------  ---------   ---------
- ---------
Net  loss                       $(992,100)  (818,656)  (2,065,005) (1,614,4
67)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
Net loss allocated to:

 General Partner              $(148,815)  (122,206)  (309,751)   (240,986)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
  Limited  partners             $(843,285)  (696,450)  (1,755,254) (1,373,4
81)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========
  Per limited partner unit    $  (4,934)    (4,056)   (10,269)    (8,000)
                                           =========  =========   =========
=========























<PAGE>

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

                                              Six Months Ended
                                                                       June
30,
Cash flows from operating activities:       1999           1998
                                                           ----       ----
 Cash paid to Managing General Partner
  for administrative fees               $        -           (24)
 Interest received                           5,553          5,517
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
  Net cash provided by operating activities            5,553          5,493
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
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                               -             80
 Syndication costs                               -       (98,837)
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
  Net cash used in financing activities          -      (105,007)
                                                                  ---------
- ---------

Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash equivalents                5,553      (163,028)

 Beginning of period                       381,545        501,086
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
 End of period                          $  387,098        338,058
                                                                  =========
=========


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

Net loss                                $(2,065,005)   (1,614,467)

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

  Amortization                                   -          7,894
  Undistributed loss of affiliate        2,004,999      1,543,359
  Increase in accounts payable              65,559         60,707
                                                                  ---------
- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities        $     5,553          5,493
                                                                  =========
========


<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 June 30, 1999, and  for  the
     three  and  six  months  ended June 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  has  been
     reduced  to zero.  Therefore, according to General Accepted Accounting
     Principles, the equity method will be 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  June  30,  1999  and
     December 31, 1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1999  and  the
     year ended December 31, 1998 (in thousands):

                                                 1999       1998
                                                 ----       ----
     Current assets                        $     7,779   $ 10,050
     Property and equipment, net                39,609     43,227
     Other assets, net                          22,090     21,496
                                                ------     ------
     Total assets                          $    69,478   $ 74,773
                                                ======     ======
     Current liabilities                   $     4,070   $ 57,930
     Long-term debt                             49,660        333
     Deferred income taxes                         208      2,486
                                                ------     ------
                                           $    53,938   $ 60,749
                                                ======     ======
     Stockholders' equity                  $    15,540   $ 14,024
                                                ======     ======
     Sales                                 $    15,745   $ 45,319
                                                ======     ======
     Net loss                              $   (4,819)   $(9,336)
                                                ======     ======





<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  June  30, 1999, the Partnership  owned  a  34.40%
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 June 30, 1999

Revenues
Revenues  consisted of interest income.  Interest income  generated  $2,764
for  the  quarter ended June 30, 1999 as compared to $2,680 for the quarter
ended June 30, 1998.

Expenses
Direct expenses totaled $34,100 and $42,429 for the quarters ended June 30,
1999  and  1998,  respectively, and consisted of general and administrative
expenses  and  $3,947  amortization expense  for  the  quarter  ended  June
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  $960,764  reflects  the
Partnership's  weighted average proportionate share of the $2,336,913  loss
by  Sierra in the amount of $803,898 for the period and the amortization of
goodwill  in relation to the Partnerships investment in Sierra of $156,866.
Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary for the quarter ended June  30,
1998  was  $778,907.  The increase in equity loss is due to an increase  in
Sierra's loss for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.  See Sierra's Management
Discussion and Analysis section included in this report.

Results of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 1999

Revenues
Revenues  consisted of interest income.  Interest income  generated  $5,553
for  the  six months ended June 30, 1999 as compared to $5,517 for the  six
months ended June 30, 1998.

Expenses
Direct  expenses totaled $65,559 and $76,625 for the six months ended  June
30,   1999   and   1998,  respectively,  and  consisted  of   general   and
administrative expenses and $7,894 amortization expense for the six  months
ended   June  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 $2,004,999  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 six  months
ended June 30, 1998 was $1,543,359.  The increase in equity loss is due  to
an  increase in Sierra's loss for the six months ended June 30, 1999.   See
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 $5,553.

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

Net  Cash Used in Financing Activities.  There were no amounts provided  by
or used in financing activities for the quarter ended June 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  in  1999  on  its  debt
obligations.   Due  to  severely depressed commodity prices,  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 renegotiating 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 is continuing in its  effort  to
identify  and  assess 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 a 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  has  identified  the
internal  and external software and hardware that may have date sensitivity
problems.  Four critical systems and/or functions were identified:  (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 is currently  in  process  of
meeting compliance requirements with an estimated completion date of  third
quarter 1999.  Since this is an internally generated software package,  the
Managing General Partner has estimated the cost to be approximately $25,000
by  estimating the necessary man-hours.  These modifications are being made
by internal staff and do 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 being modified, it is anticipated that some problems may arise,
but  with  an expected early completion date, the Managing General  Partner
feels that adequate time is 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 will be installed  in
August 1999, the Managing General Partner believes that this will solve any
potential problems on the system.

The  Managing  General Partner has identified various third-party  software
that may have date sensitivity problems and is working 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 mid-year 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, until all assessment is complete, 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 mid-year
1999.

Worst Case Scenario

The  Securities and Exchange Commission requires that public companies must
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 June 30, 1999

Revenues
Sierra's revenues decreased to $8.3 million, or 30%, for the quarter  ended
June  30,  1999 as compared to $12.0 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 $2.1 million, or 18%, for the quarter
ended  June  30,  1999  as  compared to the  same  period  for  1998.   The
components of operating expenses consisted of decreases in cost of revenues
of  $1.8  million  and  general and administrative  decreases  of  $41,300.
Interest  expense  for the quarter ended June 30, 1999  decreased  to  $1.6
million from $1.8 million for the same period 1998.

Results of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 1999

Revenues
Sierra's  revenues decreased to $15.7 million, or 38%, for the  six  months
ended  June  30, 1999 as compared to $25.7 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 $6.6 million, or 26%,  for  the  six
months  ended June 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  $447,200.
Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 1999 decreased  to  $3.4
million from $3.5 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 $662,000.

Net  Cash  Provided  by  Investing  Activities.   Cash  flows  provided  by
investing  activities  totaled  $482,000  for  the  period,  and  consisted
primarily of proceeds from sale of property and equipment.

Net  Cash  Used  in  Financing Activities.  Cash flows  used  in  financing
activities  totaled $1,183 million for the period.  The use of these  funds
included  $6,185 million used for payment of debt net of $5,002 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:  August 19, 1999

<PAGE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

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

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         387,098
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               387,098
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 387,098
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          204,496
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     182,602
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   387,098
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,553
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                65,559
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,065,005)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,065,005)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,065,005)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (10,269)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (10,269)


</TABLE>


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