<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000842741
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND - III LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 2,809,882
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 116,089
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,925,971
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 30,578,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 389,760
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 30,188,940
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 30,578,700
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,795,638
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 332,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 113,412
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,349,746
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,349,746
<DISCONTINUED> 0
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<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,349,746
<EPS-BASIC> 0.53
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.53
</TABLE>