<PAGE>
---------------------------
UNITED STATES OMB APPROVAL
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ---------------------------
Washington, D.C. 20549 OMB Number: 3235-0456
Expires: August 31, 2000
FORM 24F-2 Estimated average burden
ANNUAL NOTICE OF SECURITIES SOLD hours per response: 1
PURSUANT TO RULE 24f-2 ---------------------------
Read instructions at end of Form before preparing Form.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Name and address of issuer: MFS Series Trust III
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The name of each series or class of securities for which this Form is
filed (If the Form is being filed for all series and classes of the
issuer, check the box but do not list series or classes): [X]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Investment Company Act File Number: 811-2794
Securities Act File Number: 2-60491
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4(a). Last day of fiscal year for which
this Form is filed: January 31, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4(b). Check box if this Form is being filed late (i.e., more than 90 calendar
days after the end of the issuer's fiscal year). (See Instruction A.2)
Note: If the Form is being filed late, interest must be paid on the
registration fee due.
4(c). Check box if this is the last time the issuer will be filing this Form.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Calculation of registration fee:
(i) Aggregate sale price of securities sold during
the fiscal year pursuant to section 24(f): $ 1,340,187,502
(ii) Aggregate price of securities redeemed or
repurchased during the fiscal year: $ 914,448,676
(iii) Aggregate price of securities redeemed
or repurchased during any prior fiscal
year ending no earlier than October 11,
1995 that were not previously used to
reduce registration fees payable
to the Commission: $______________
(iv) Total available redemption credits
[add Items 5(ii) and 5(iii)]: $ 914,448,676
(v) Net sales - if Item 5(i) is greater
than Item 5(iv) [subtract Item 5(iv)
from Item 5(i)]: $ 425,738,826
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Redemption credits available for
use in future years $ ( )
--if Item 5(i) is less than item
5(iv) [subtract Item 5(iv) from Item 5(i)]:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Multiplier for determining registration fee (See x 0.000278
Instruction C.9):
(viii) Registration fee due [multiply Item 5(v) by Item = $118,355.39
5 (vii)] (enter "0" if no fee is due):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Prepaid Shares
If the response to Item 5(i) was determined by deducting an amount of
securities that were registered under the Securities Act of 1993
pursuant to rule 24e-2 as in effect before October 11, 1997, then
report the amount of securities (number of shares or other units)
deducted here: _______. If there is a number of shares or other units
that were registered pursuant to rule 24e-2 remaining unsold at the end
of the fiscal year for which this form is filed that are available for
use by the issuer in future fiscal years, then state that number here:
____________.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Interest due - if this Form is being filed more than 90 days after
the end of the issuer's fiscal year (see Instruction D):
+ $___________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Total of the amount of the registration fee due plus
any interest due [line 5(viii) plus line 7]: = $118,355.39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Date the registration fee and any interest payment was sent to the
Commission's lockbox depository:
Method of Delivery: April 7, 1999
[X] Wire Transfer
[ ] Mail or other means
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
This report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
issuer and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ James R. Bordewick, Jr.
James R. Bordewick, Jr., Assistant Secretary
Date April 14, 1999
*Please print the name and the title of the signing officer below the signature.
