<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND III
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 164,759
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 111,691
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 387,904
<PP&E> 3,673,489
<DEPRECIATION> (1,406,772)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,654,621
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 103,145
<BONDS> 951,233
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 1,600,243
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,654,621
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 603,481
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 647,888
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 34,135
<INCOME-PRETAX> (44,407)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (44,407)
<EPS-BASIC> (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>