MFS SERIES TRUST III, 497J, 1996-08-30

MFS SERIES TRUST III
497J, 1996-08-30

Previous: AFL CIO HOUSING INVESTMENT TRUST, NSAR-A, 1996-08-30

Next: BASCOM HILL INVESTORS INC, N-30D, 1996-08-30



<PAGE>

                              MFS SERIES TRUST III
             500 BOYLSTON STREET o BOSTON o MASSACHUSETTS 02116-3741
                                 617 o 954-5000




                                            August 30, 1996




VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC  20549

         Re:   MFS Series Trust III (the "Trust") (File No. 2-60491), on
               behalf of MFS High Income Fund (a series of MFS Series Trust
               III)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,
please accept this letter as certification that the Supplement to the Prospectus
and Statement of Additional  Information for the  above-mentioned  series of the
Trust do not differ from those contained in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 (the
"Amendment") to the Trust's Registration  Statement on Form N-1A. This Amendment
was filed electronically on August 27, 1996.

         Please call Karen M. Ray at (617) 954-5801 or (800) 343-2829 ext.
5801 with any questions you may have.

                                            Very truly yours,



                                            JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.
                                            James R. Bordewick, Jr.
                                            Assistant Secretary

JRB/bjn