<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements for Liberty Tax Credit Plus III L.P. and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000843076
<NAME> LIBERTY TAX CREDIT PLUS III L.P.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 5,124,712
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,123,168
<PP&E> 307,237,062
<DEPRECIATION> 97,610,640
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 235,131,597
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 78,007,518
<BONDS> 194,516,380
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (37,392,301)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 235,131,597
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 35,444,349
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 35,820,469
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,784,559
<INCOME-PRETAX> (15,946,574)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (15,946,574)
<EPS-BASIC> (113.49)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>