<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027937
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> DELAWARE TREND FUND C CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,481,624,017
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 13,266,561
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 16,927,711
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 834,283,770
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,816,588
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,081,936
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (9,103,781)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 190,915,137
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 471,728,060
<EQUALIZATION> 0
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,510,202
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 811,360,814
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<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.353)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.010
</TABLE>
