PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III, N-4/A, EX-99.9, 2000-09-28

PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
N-4/A, EX-99.9, 2000-09-28

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                            [Penn Mutual Letterhead]


September 26, 2000

Board of Trustees
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Philadelphia, PA 19172

Re:  Individual Variable and Fixed Annuity Contracts - Flexible Purchase
     Payments SEC Registration Statement - SEC File No. 333-39804
     -------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         In my opinion the individual variable annuity contract, registered with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the above-referenced
registration statement, will, when issued, be legally issued and represent legal
obligations of the Company.

         I hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion in the above
referenced registration statement as an exhibit.

Sincerely,


/s/ Franklin L. Best, Jr.
----------------------------
Franklin L. Best, Jr.
Associate General Counsel