<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from National
Property Investors III 2000 Second Quarter 10-QSB and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such 10-QSB filing.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000310485
<NAME> National Property Investors III
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 923
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 558
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <F1>
<PP&E> 38,672
<DEPRECIATION> (26,430)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,947
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <F1>
<BONDS> 27,010
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (13,486)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 14,947
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,556
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,922
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,042
<INCOME-PRETAX> 0
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 592
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 592
<EPS-BASIC> 12.20 <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F1> Registrant has an unclassified balance sheet. <F2> Multiplier is 1.
</FN>
</TABLE>