[LOGO] Colonial Management Associates, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2621
March 2, 1998
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Colonial Trust III (the "Trust")
Colonial Global Utilities Fund
File Nos. 811-881 & 2-15184
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 497(j) under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, please accept this letter as
certification that the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information dated February 27, 1998 for the Fund does not differ
from that contained in Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 (the
"Amendment") to the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
The Amendment was filed electronically on February 27, 1998.
The Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
dated February 27, 1998, are now being used in connection with the
public offering and sale of shares of the Fund. Also, a
Prospectus Supplement dated January 15, 1998, filed
electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
January 15, 1998, is being used in connection with the public
offering and sale of shares of the Fund.
The Fund is a separate portfolio of the Trust.
Very truly yours,
COLONIAL GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
By:Ellen Harrington
Assistant Secretary
cc: T. Festekjian
B. Leveille
M. Muller
M.C. Teleman
E. Edson
O. Barsketis
D. Jansen
D. Young(2)
