TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III L P
10-Q, 1998-08-13
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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                    TEXTAINER FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
                        650 California Street, 16th Floor
                             San Francisco, CA 94108


August 13, 1998


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC  20549

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  we are
submitting herewith for filing on behalf of Textainer Equipment Income Fund III,
L.P. (the "Company") the Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10Q for the Second
Quarter ended June 30, 1998.

This filing is being effected by direct  transmission to the Commission's  EDGAR
System.

Sincerely,

Nadine Forsman
Controller
<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington DC 20549



                                    FORM 10Q



                 QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998


                         Commission file number 0-20140


                    TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
                        A California Limited Partnership
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


           California                                             94-3121277
  (State or other jurisdiction                                  (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

 650 California Street, 16th Floor
         San Francisco, CA                                          94108
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (ZIP Code)

                                 (415) 434-0551
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                 Yes [X] No [ ]


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the
Quarter Ended June 30, 1998

Table of Contents
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                                               Page

<S>       <C>                                                                                                 <C>
Item 1.   Financial Statements

          Balance Sheets - June 30, 1998 (unaudited) and December 31, 1997..................................    3


          Statements of Earnings for the three and six months
          ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)..........................................................    4


          Statements of Partners' Capital for the six months
          ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)..........................................................    5


          Statements of Cash Flows for the six months
          ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)..........................................................    6


          Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited).........................................................    8


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations.........................................................................   13




</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Balance Sheets

June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997
(Amounts in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>                                                                   <C>                    <C> 
                                                                              1998                   1997
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------
                                                                           (unaudited)
Assets
Container rental equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation of  $39,108 (1997:  $36,728)                           $         72,474       $         76,802
Cash                                                                              2,035                    370
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $566 (1997: $1,534) (note 9)                                      4,191                  4,713
Due from affiliates, net (note 7)                                                   414                    191
Prepaid expenses                                                                    119                    172
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------

                                                                       $         79,233       $         82,248
                                                                         ===============        ===============

Liabilities and Partners' Capital
Liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                                    $            523       $            488
   Accrued liabilities                                                               37                     58
   Accrued recovery costs (note 2)                                                   77                    119
   Accrued damage protection plan costs (note 3)                                    322                    351
   Accrued maintenance and repair costs (note 4)                                    118                     80
   Warranty claims (note 5)                                                         208                    228
   Deferred quarterly distribution                                                  122                    121
   Container purchases payable                                                      455                    365
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------

      Total liabilities                                                           1,862                  1,810
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------

Partners' capital:
   General partners                                                                   -                      -
   Limited partners                                                              77,371                 80,438
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------

      Total partners' capital                                                    77,371                 80,438
                                                                         ---------------        ---------------

Commitments (note 11)
                                                                       $         79,233       $         82,248
                                                                         ===============        ===============

See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Statements of Earnings

For the three and six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts) 
(unaudited)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S><C>                                               <C>                   <C>                  <C>                    <C>
                                                       Three months          Three months            Six months           Six months
                                                              Ended                 Ended                 Ended                Ended
                                                      June 30, 1998         June 30, 1997         June 30, 1998        June 30, 1997
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------

Rental income                                     $           4,724    $            4,734    $            9,726    $          9,470
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------

Costs and expenses:
      Direct container expenses                               1,055                 1,037                 2,248               1,897
      Bad debt (benefit) expense                               (103)                   76                  (202)                 77
      Depreciation                                            1,674                 1,714                 3,369               3,415
      Professional fees                                          11                    10                    18                  18
      Management fees to affiliates (note 7)                    451                   447                   868                 896
      General and administrative costs
        to affiliates (note 7)                                  268                   306                   573                 619
      Other general and administrative costs                     26                    51                    79                 105
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------
                                                              3,382                 3,641                 6,953               7,027
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------
      Income from operations                                  1,342                 1,093                 2,773               2,443
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------

Other (expense) income:
      Interest income                                            28                    14                    43                  43
      Loss on sale of containers                               (159)                  (53)                 (117)                (30)
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------
                                                               (131)                  (39)                  (74)                 13
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------

      Net earnings                                $           1,211    $            1,054    $            2,699    $          2,456
                                                    ================     =================     =================     ===============

Allocation of net earnings (note 7):
      General partners                            $              30    $               30    $               60    $             60
      Limited partners                                        1,181                 1,024                 2,639               2,396
                                                    ----------------     -----------------     -----------------     ---------------
                                                  $           1,211    $            1,054    $            2,699    $          2,456
                                                    ================     =================     =================     ===============
Limited partners' per unit share
      of net earnings                             $            0.19    $             0.17    $             0.43    $           0.39
                                                    ================     =================     =================     ===============

Limited partners' per unit share
      of distributions                            $            0.46    $             0.46    $             0.93    $           0.93
                                                    ================     =================     =================     ===============

Weighted average number of limited
      partnership units outstanding                       6,168,527             6,168,527             6,168,527           6,168,527
                                                    ================     =================     =================     ===============


See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Statements of Partners' Capital

For the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                              Partners' Capital
                                            ------------------------------------------------------
                                              General              Limited              Total
                                            -------------        -------------       -------------
<S><C>                                    <C>                  <C>                 <C>           
Balances at January 1, 1997               $            -       $       86,801      $       86,801

Distributions                                        (60)              (5,706)             (5,766)

Redemptions (note 10)                                  -                   (4)                 (4)

Net earnings                                          60                2,396               2,456
                                            -------------        -------------       -------------

Balances at June 30, 1997                 $            -       $       83,487      $       83,487
                                            =============        =============       =============

Balances at January 1, 1998               $            -       $       80,438      $       80,438

Distributions                                        (60)              (5,706)             (5,766)

Net earnings                                          60                2,639               2,699
                                            -------------        -------------       -------------

Balances at June 30, 1998                 $            -       $       77,371      $       77,371
                                            =============        =============       =============


See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Statements of Cash Flows

For the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S><C>                                                                                <C>                  <C>
                                                                                              1998                1997
                                                                                          -------------       -------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net earnings                                                                         $        2,699      $        2,456
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
      net cash provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation                                                                            3,369               3,415
         Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts, excluding
             write-off (note 9)                                                                   (288)                (23)
         Loss on sale of containers                                                                117                  30
         Changes in assets and liabilities:
            Decrease in accounts receivable, excluding write-off (note 9)                          861                 157
            Increase in due from affiliates, net                                                  (212)               (178)
            Decrease in prepaid expenses                                                            53                  32
            Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                    14                 278
            (Decrease) increase in accrued recovery costs                                          (42)                 22
            Decrease in accrued damage protection plan costs                                       (29)                (59)
            Increase in accrued maintenance and repair costs                                        38                  38
            Decrease in warranty claims                                                            (20)                (19)
                                                                                          -------------       -------------


            Net cash provided by operating activities                                            6,560               6,149
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Proceeds from sale of containers                                                            1,354                 690
     Container purchases                                                                          (484)             (3,296)
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

            Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                    870              (2,606)
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Redemptions of limited partnership units                                                         -                  (4)
    Distributions to partners                                                                   (5,765)             (5,766)
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

            Net cash used in financing activities                                               (5,765)             (5,770)
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                                  1,665              (2,227)

Cash at beginning of period                                                                        370               2,426
                                                                                          -------------       -------------

Cash at end of period                                                                   $        2,035      $          199
                                                                                          =============       =============


See accompanying notes to financial statements

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)


Statements Of Cash Flows--Continued

For the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental Disclosures:

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

The following table summarizes the amounts of container purchases, distributions
to partners,  and proceeds  from sale of  containers  which had not been paid or
received as of June 30, 1998 and 1997, and December 31, 1997 and 1996, resulting
in differences in amounts  recorded and amounts of cash disbursed or received by
the  Partnership,  as shown in the  Statements  of Cash Flows for the  six-month
periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Jun. 30       Dec. 31          Jun. 30       Dec. 31
                                                                  1998           1997            1997           1996
                                                            -----------    -----------    ------------     ----------
<S><C>                                                     <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>
Container purchases included in:
     Due to affiliates..............................         $       7     $       42      $       26      $       -
     Container purchases payable....................               455            365             439            580

Distributions to partners included in:
     Due to affiliates..............................                10             10              11             10
     Deferred quarterly distribution................               122            121             115            116

Proceeds from sale of containers included in:
     Due from affiliates............................               375            399             411            381

The following table summarizes the amounts of container purchases, distributions
to partners and proceeds from sale of containers recorded by the Partnership and
the amounts  paid or received as shown in the  Statements  of Cash Flows for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.

                                                                                                 1998           1997
                                                                                                 ----           ----

Container purchases recorded......................................................         $      539       $  3,181
Container purchases paid..........................................................                484          3,296

Distributions to partners declared................................................              5,766          5,766
Distributions to partners paid....................................................              5,765          5,766

Proceeds from sale of containers recorded.........................................              1,330            720
Proceeds from sale of containers received.........................................              1,354            690


See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)

Notes To Financial Statements

For the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
(Amounts in thousands except for per unit amounts) 
(unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Note 1.   General

      Textainer Equipment Income Fund III, L.P. (the Partnership),  a California
      limited  partnership  with a maximum life of 20 years, was formed in 1990.
      The  Partnership  owns  and  leases  a fleet of  intermodal  marine  cargo
      containers which are leased to international shipping lines.

      The accompanying  interim comparative  financial  statements have not been
      audited by an independent  public  accountant.  However,  all  adjustments
      (which  were only  normal and  recurring  adjustments)  which are,  in the
      opinion of management,  necessary to fairly present the financial position
      of the  Partnership  as of June 30, 1998 and December  31,  1997,  and the
      results of its operations, changes in partners' capital and cash flows for
      the three- and six-month  periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997,  have been
      made.

      The financial  information  presented herein should be read in conjunction
      with  the  audited  financial  statements  and  other  accompanying  notes
      included in the Partnership's  annual audited  financial  statements as of
      December 31, 1997, in the Annual Report filed on Form 10K.

      Certain   estimates  and  assumptions  were  made  by  the   Partnership's
      management that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
      disclosures  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at the  date of the
      financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of revenue and  expenses
      during the  reporting  period.  Actual  results  could  differ  from those
      estimates.

      Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made in order to
      conform with the 1998 financial statement presentation.

Note 2.   Recovery Costs

      The  Partnership  accrues an estimate  for  recovery  costs as a result of
      defaults under its leases that it expects to incur, which are in excess of
      estimated insurance proceeds.  At June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, the
      amounts accrued were $77 and $119, respectively.

Note 3.   Damage Protection Plan

      The  Partnership  offers a Damage  Protection Plan (DPP) to lessees of its
      containers.  Under  the terms of DPP,  the  Partnership  earns  additional
      revenues  on a daily  basis  and,  in return,  has agreed to bear  certain
      repair costs.  It is the  Partnership's  policy to recognize  revenue when
      earned  and to  provide a reserve  sufficient  to cover the  Partnership's
      obligation for estimated future repair costs. DPP expenses are included in
      direct container  expenses in the Statements of Earnings,  and at June 30,
      1998 and  December  31,  1997,  the  related  reserve  was $322 and  $351,
      respectively.

Note 4.   Maintenance and Repair

      The Partnership accrues maintenance and repair costs on damaged containers
      in depots.  At June 30, 1998 and December 31,  1997,  the amounts  accrued
      were $118 and $80, respectively.

Note 5.   Warranty Claims

      During 1992 and 1995, the Partnership  settled  warranty claims against an
      equipment manufacturer relating to certain containers.  The Partnership is
      amortizing the settlement amounts over the remaining estimated useful life
      of these containers (between seven and eight years),  reducing maintenance
      and repair  costs over that time.  At June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997,
      the  unamortized  portion  of the  settlement  amount  was $208 and  $228,
      respectively.

Note 6.   Acquisition of Containers

      During the periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Partnership purchased
      containers with a cost of $539 and $3,181, respectively.

Note 7.   Transactions with Affiliates

      Textainer  Financial  Services  Corporation  (TFS) is the managing general
      partner of the Partnership.  TFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textainer
      Capital Corporation (TCC).  Textainer  Equipment  Management Limited (TEM)
      and  Textainer   Limited  (TL)  are  associate  general  partners  of  the
      Partnership.  The  managing  general  partner  and the  associate  general
      partners are collectively referred to as the General Partners. The General
      Partners  also  act in  this  capacity  for  other  limited  partnerships.
      Textainer  Acquisition  Services  Limited  (TAS)  is an  affiliate  of the
      General  Partners which performs  services  relative to the acquisition of
      containers  outside the United States on behalf of the  Partnership.  TCC,
      TEM, TL and TAS are  subsidiaries  of  Textainer  Group  Holdings  Limited
      (TGH).  The  General  Partners  manage  and  control  the  affairs  of the
      Partnership.

      In accordance with the Partnership Agreement,  net earnings  or losses and
      partnership distributions are allocated 1% to the General Partners and 99%
      to the limited partners, with the exception of gross income, as defined in
      the  Partnership  Agreement.  Gross income  is  allocated  to the  General
      Partners to the extent that their capital  accounts'  deficits  exceed the
      portion  of  syndication  and  offering  costs  allocated  to  them.    On
      termination of the Partnership, the General Partners  shall  be  allocated
      gross income equal to their allocations of syndication and offering costs.

      As part of the operation of the Partnership,  the Partnership is to pay to
      the General Partners,  or TAS, an incentive management fee, an acquisition
      fee, an equipment  management fee and an equipment  liquidation fee. These
      fees  are  for  various   services   provided  in   connection   with  the
      administration and management of the Partnership. The Partnership incurred
      $120  and  $240 of  incentive  management  fees  during  both  three-  and
      six-month   periods  ended  June  30,  1998  and  1997.  The   Partnership
      capitalized  $25  and  $158  of  equipment  acquisition  fees  as  part of
      container rental  equipment costs during the six-month  periods ended June
      30,  1998 and  1997,  respectively.  No  equipment  liquidation  fees were
      incurred during either period.

      The  Partnership's  container  fleet  is  managed  by TEM.  In its role as
      manager,  TEM has  authority to acquire,  hold,  manage,  lease,  sell and
      dispose of the  Partnership's  containers.  TEM holds,  for the payment of
      direct operating expenses,  a reserve of cash that has been collected from
      leasing operations;  such cash is included in due from affiliates,  net at
      June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997.

      Subject to certain reductions, TEM receives a monthly equipment management
      fee equal to 7% of gross revenues  attributable to operating leases and 2%
      of gross  revenues  attributable  to full  payout net  leases.  During the
      three- and six-month  periods ended June 30, 1998, these fees totaled $331
      and $628,  respectively,  and $327 and $656 for the comparable  periods in
      1997. The  Partnership's  container  fleet is leased by TEM to third party
      lessees on operating  master leases,  spot leases,  term leases and direct
      finance  leases.  The  majority  of the  container  fleet is leased  under
      operating master leases with limited terms and no purchase option.

      Certain  indirect  general  and  administrative  costs  such as  salaries,
      employee  benefits,   taxes  and  insurance  are  incurred  in  performing
      administrative  services  necessary to the  operation of the  Partnership.
      These  costs are  incurred  and paid by TFS and TEM.  For the  three-  and
      six-month  periods ended June 30, 1998,  total general and  administrative
      costs allocated to the  Partnership  were $268 and $573, of which $115 and
      $240 were for salaries.  Total general and administrative  costs allocated
      to the  Partnership  for the three- and  six-month  periods ended June 30,
      1997 were $306 and $619 of which $168 and $329 were for salaries.

      TEM allocates these general and administrative costs based on the ratio of
      the  Partnership's  interest  in  the  managed  containers  to  the  total
      container  fleet  managed by TEM during the period.  TFS  allocates  these
      costs  based on the  ratio of the  Partnership's  containers  to the total
      container fleet of all limited  partnerships  managed by TFS.  General and
      administrative  costs  allocated to the  Partnership  by TEM were $241 and
      $519 for the three- and  six-month  periods  ended June 30,  1998 and were
      $262 and $537 for the  comparable  periods in 1997.  TFS allocated $27 and
      $54 of general and administrative  costs to the Partnership for the three-
      and  six-month  periods  ended  June  30,  1998  and  $44  and $82 for the
      comparable periods in 1997.

      The General  Partners or TAS may acquire  containers in their own name and
      hold  title on a  temporary  basis for the  purpose  of  facilitating  the
      acquisition  of such  containers for the  Partnership.  The containers may
      then be resold to the Partnership on an all-cash basis at a price equal to
      the actual cost, as defined in the Partnership Agreement. In addition, the
      General  Partners  or TAS  are  entitled  to an  acquisition  fee  for any
      containers resold to the Partnership.

      At June 30,  1998 and  December  31,  1997,  due from  affiliates,  net is
      comprised of:

                                                            1998            1997
                                                            ----            ----
      Due from affiliates:
          Due from TEM................................... $  485          $  297
                                                           -----           -----

      Due to affiliates:
          Due to TFS.....................................     49              48
          Due to TAS.....................................      7              42
          Due to TCC.....................................     14              15
          Due to TL......................................      1               1
                                                           -----           -----
                                                              71             106
                                                           -----           -----
      Due from affiliates, net                            $  414          $  191
                                                           =====           =====

      These amounts  receivable  from and payable to affiliates were incurred in
      the ordinary course of business between the Partnership and its affiliates
      and represent  timing  differences  in the accrual and payment of expenses
      and fees  described  above or in the accrual and  remittance of net rental
      revenues from TEM.

      It is the policy of the  Partnership  and the  General  Partners to charge
      interest on amounts due to the General  Partners which are outstanding for
      more than one  month,  to the  extent  such  balances  relate to loans for
      container  purchases.  Interest is charged at a rate not greater  than the
      General Partners' or affiliates' own cost of funds.  There was no interest
      expense  incurred on amounts due to the General Partners during the three-
      and six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 or 1997.

Note 8.   Rentals Under Operating Leases

      The following are the future  minimum rent  receivables  under  cancelable
      long-term  operating  leases at June 30,  1998.  Although  the  leases are
      generally  cancelable  at  the  end of  each  twelve-month  period  with a
      penalty,  the  following  schedule  assumes  that the  leases  will not be
      terminated.

              Year ending June 30:

              1999.............................................          $   872
              2000.............................................               97
              2001.............................................               30
              2002.............................................               28
              2003.............................................               28
                                                                           -----

              Total minimum future rentals receivable..........           $1,055
                                                                           =====

Note 9.   Accounts Receivable Write-Off

      During  the  six-month  period  ending  June  30,  1998,  the  Partnership
      wrote-off $680 of delinquent  receivables  from two lessees  against which
      reserves were recorded in 1994 and 1995.

Note 10.   Redemptions

      The following  redemption  offerings were  consummated by the  Partnership
      during the six-month period ended June 30, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Units                   Average
                                                         Redeemed            Redemption Price           Amount Paid

<S>         <C>                                         <C>                      <C>                      <C>    
            Balance at December 31, 1996.......           81,098                   $14.69                   $ 1,191

            Quarter ended:
                  March 31, 1997...............              375                   $10.43                         4
                                                          ------                                            -------

            Partnership to date................           81,473                   $14.67                   $ 1,195
                                                          ======                                            =======
</TABLE>


      There were no redemptions during the six-month period ended June 30, 1998.
      The redemption price is fixed by formula.

Note 11.   Commitments

      At June 30,  1998,  the  Partnership  has  committed  to  purchase  15 new
      containers at an  approximate  total  purchase price of $53 which includes
      acquisition  fees of $3. These  commitments were made to TAS which, as the
      contracting  party,  has in turn committed to purchase these containers on
      behalf of the Partnership.


<PAGE>


ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Financial Statements contain information which will assist in evaluating the
financial  condition of the  Partnership  for the three- and  six-month  periods
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997. Please refer to the Financial Statements and Notes
thereto in connection with the following discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

From  January  16,  1991  until May 4, 1992,  the  Partnership  offered  limited
partnership  interests  to the  public.  The  Partnership  received  its minimum
subscription  amount of $1,000 on February  11,  1991,  and on May 4, 1992,  the
Partnership's offering of limited partnership interests was closed at $125,000.

From time to time,  the  Partnership  redeems units from limited  partners for a
specified   redemption  value  which  is  set  by  formula.  Up  to  2%  of  the
Partnership's outstanding units may be redeemed each year, although the 2% limit
may be exceeded at the managing general  partner's  discretion.  All redemptions
are subject to the managing  general  partner's  good faith  determination  that
payment for the redeemed units will not (i) cause the Partnership to be taxed as
a  corporation,  (ii) impair the capital or  operations of the  Partnership,  or
(iii) impair the ability of the Partnership to pay  distributions  in accordance
with its distribution  policy.  During the six-month period ended June 30, 1998,
the Partnership did not redeem any units.

The Partnership  invests working capital and cash flow from operations  prior to
its  distribution  to  the  partners  in  short-term,  liquid  investments.  The
Partnership's  cash is  affected  by  cash  provided  by or  used in  operating,
investing and financing  activities.  These  activities  are discussed in detail
below.

During the six-month  period ended June 30, 1998, the Partnership  declared cash
distributions  to limited  partners  pertaining to the period from December 1997
through  May 1998,  in the amount of $5,706.  These  distributions  represent  a
return of 9% on original capital (measured on an annualized basis) on each unit.
On a cash basis,  all of these  distributions  were from  operations.  On a GAAP
basis, $3,067 of these distributions was a return of capital and the balance was
from net earnings. Beginning with cash distributions to limited partners for the
month of July 1998, payable August 1998, the Partnership will make distributions
at an  annualized  rate of 8% on each unit.  This  reduction in the  Partnership
distribution  rate is a result  of the  current  market  conditions,  which  are
discussed in detail below.

At June 30, 1998, the Partnership had committed to purchase 15 new containers at
an approximate  total purchase price of $53, which includes  acquisition fees of
$3. At June 30, 1998, the  Partnership had sufficient cash on hand to meet these
commitments.   In  the  event  the  Partnership  decides  not  to  purchase  the
containers,  one of the General Partners or an affiliate of the General Partners
will acquire the containers for its own account.

Net cash provided by operating  activities for the six-month periods ending June
30,  1998 and 1997,  was  $6,560  and  $6,149,  respectively.  The  increase  is
primarily   attributable  to  a  decrease  in  accounts  receivable,   excluding
write-off,  during the  six-month  period  ended June 30,  1998  compared to the
equivalent period in 1997. Accounts receivable,  excluding write-off,  decreased
primarily  due to a  decrease  in the  average  collection  period  of  accounts
receivable and to the resolution of payment issues with one lessee.

For the six-month  period  ending June 30, 1998,  net cash provided by investing
activities  (the purchase and sale of containers)  was $870 compared to net cash
used in investing  activities of $2,606 for the  comparable  period in 1997. The
difference of $3,476 is due to the Partnership  having purchased more containers
during the six-month period ended June 30, 1997 than in the comparable period in
1998,  and  due to the  Partnership  having  sold  more  containers  during  the
six-month period ended June 30, 1998 than in the comparable  period in 1997. The
General Partners believe that these differences  reflect normal  fluctuations in
container   sales   and   purchases.   However,   recent   container   purchases
(reinvestment) are currently lower than anticipated due to the adverse effect of
market  conditions on cash  available for  reinvestment.  Market  conditions are
discussed  more  fully  under  "Results  of  Operations".  Consistent  with  its
investment objectives,  the Partnership intends to reinvest all or a significant
amount  of  proceeds  from  future  container  sales in  additional  containers.
However,  due to the difference between sales proceeds and new container prices,
the  number of  additional  containers  purchased  may not  equal the  number of
containers sold.

Results of Operations

The  Partnership's  income from operations,  which consists  primarily of rental
income, container depreciation,  direct container expenses, management fees, and
reimbursement of administrative expenses was directly related to the size of the
container  fleet during the  six-month  periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, as
well as certain other factors as discussed  below. The following is a summary of
the container fleet (in units) available for lease during those periods:

                                                               1998        1997

                   Opening container fleet.................   31,342      30,605
                   Closing container fleet.................   30,719      31,542
                   Average container fleet.................   31,031      31,074


Rental income and direct container expenses are also affected by the utilization
of the container  fleet,  which was 80% and 77% on average  during the six-month
periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  In addition,  rental income
is affected by daily rental rates and leasing incentives.

The  following is a comparative  analysis of the results of  operations  for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.

The  Partnership's  income from operations for the six-month periods ending June
30,  1998 and 1997 was  $2,773 and  $2,443,  respectively,  on rental  income of
$9,726 and $9,470,  respectively.  The increase in rental income of $256, or 3%,
from the six-month  period ended June 30, 1997 to the comparable  period in 1998
was  primarily  attributable  to an increase  in other  rental  income  which is
discussed  below.  Income from container  rentals,  the major component of total
revenue,  decreased $124, or 1%. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease
in average rental rates of 5%, offset by a decrease in leasing incentives of 29%
and an increase in average on-hire (utilization) percentage of 4%.

Container  utilization  and rental rates declined during 1996 and 1997 primarily
due to decreased  demand for leased  containers and increased  competition.  The
decrease in demand for leased  containers  resulted from changes in the business
of shipping line customers consisting  primarily of (i) over-capacity  resulting
from the 1995 and 1996 additions of new, larger ships to the existing  container
ship fleet at a rate in excess of the growth rate in containerized  cargo trade;
(ii) shipping  line  alliances and other  operational  consolidations  that have
allowed  shipping  lines to operate with fewer  containers;  and (iii)  shipping
lines  reducing  their ratio of leased  versus owned  containers  by  purchasing
containers.  This decreased demand,  along with the entry of new leasing company
competitors  offering low container rental rates to shipping lines,  resulted in
downward  pressure on rental rates, and caused leasing companies to offer higher
leasing incentives and other discounts to shipping lines. Rental rates were also
adversely  affected  by a drop in the  purchase  price of new  containers  which
resulted in additional downward pressure on rental rates.

Average utilization for the three- and six month-periods ended June 30, 1998 was
greater than the average utilization for the comparable periods in 1997. Despite
the improvement in average utilization from the prior year, utilization has been
slowly declining over the last six months. Rental rates have also been declining
and average rental rates for the six-month  period ended June 30, 1998 are lower
than average  rental  rates for the same period in 1997.  These  decreases  were
offset by decreased  leasing  incentives  during the six-month period ended June
30, 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997. The  improvement in utilization
over the prior year and overall  improvement in leasing  incentives is primarily
due to increased demand in Asia. The weakening of many Asian currencies resulted
in a  significant  increase  in exports  from Asia,  which has  created a strong
demand for  containers  in certain  locations.  However,  the weakening of these
currencies  has also lowered  demand in Asia for imports from North  America and
Europe  resulting in a lower demand for containers in these areas.  For the near
term, the General  Partners do not foresee  material  changes in existing market
conditions  and caution that both  utilization  and rental rates could  continue
declining, adversely affecting the Partnership's operating results.

Substantially  all of the  Partnership's  rental income was  generated  from the
leasing of the Partnership's containers under short-term operating leases.

The  balance of other  rental  income  consists  of other  lease-related  items,
primarily  income from charges to lessees for dropping off containers in surplus
locations less credits  granted to lessees for leasing  containers  from surplus
locations  (location  income),  income from  charges to lessees for handling and
returning  containers and income from charges to lessees for a Damage Protection
Plan (DPP).  For the  six-month  period ended June 30, 1998,  the total of these
other rental  income items was $1,209,  an increase of $380 from the  equivalent
period in 1997.  The  primary  component  of this  increase  was an  increase in
location income of $411.  Location income increased  primarily due to a decrease
in credits given to lessees for picking up containers from certain locations and
due to the inclusion of certain credits  received during 1997 and 1998 which had
been previously applied against repositioning expense.

Direct  container  expenses  increased  $351, or 19%, from the six-month  period
ending  June 30,  1997 to the  equivalent  period  in  1998.  The  increase  was
primarily  due to an increase in  repositioning  expense of $379.  Repositioning
expense  increased  primarily  due  to  the  removal  of  certain  credits  from
repositioning  costs to other  rental  income as  discussed  above and due to an
increase in the average repositioning cost per container.

Bad debt expense decreased from an expense of $77 for the six-month period ended
June 30,  1997 to a benefit of $202 for the  comparable  period  ending June 30,
1998.  The write-off of certain  receivables  that had reserves in excess of the
receivable,  due to insurance proceeds received, as well as to the resolution of
payment issues with one lessee resulted in the benefit recorded in 1998.

Depreciation  expense decreased $46, or 1%, from the six-month period ended June
30, 1997 to the comparable period in 1998 primarily due to the decrease in fleet
size.

Management  fees to affiliates  decreased $28, or 3%, from the six-month  period
ended June 30,  1997 to the  equivalent  period in 1998,  due to a  decrease  in
equipment  management  fees.  The  decrease  in  equipment  management  fees was
primarily due to an adjustment  made to reduce fees resulting from the write-off
of receivables for two lessees.

General and  administrative  costs to affiliates  decreased $46, or 7%, from the
six-month  period ended June 30, 1997 to the comparable  period in 1998 due to a
decrease in overhead costs allocated by TFS and TEM.

Other income  decreased  from income of $13 for the six-month  period ended June
30, 1997 to an expense of $74 for the  comparable  period in 1998.  The decrease
was due to an increase in loss on sale of containers.

Net earnings per limited partnership unit increased from $0.39 to $0.43 from the
six-month period ending June 30, 1997 to the same period in 1998, reflecting the
increase in net earnings  allocated to limited  partners  from $2,396 to $2,639,
for the same periods.


The  following is a comparative  analysis of the results of  operations  for the
three-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.

The Partnership's income from operations for the three-month periods ending June
30,  1998 and 1997 was  $1,342 and  $1,093,  respectively,  on rental  income of
$4,724 and  $4,734,  respectively.  Income  from  container  rentals,  the major
component of rental income, decreased $36, or 1%, primarily due to the decreases
in fleet size and average rental rates of 2% and 5%,  respectively,  offset by a
decrease in leasing incentives of 50% and an increase in utilization of 3%.

The balance of other  rental  income for the  three-month  period ended June 30,
1998 was $476,  an  increase  of $26 from the  comparable  period  in 1997.  The
primary  component of this  increase was an increase in location  income of $79,
offset by a  decrease  in  handling  income of $35.  Location  income  increased
primarily  due to a  decrease  in  credits  given  to  lessees  for  picking  up
containers from certain locations and handling income decreased primarily due to
the decrease in container movement.

Direct  container  expenses  increased $18, or 2%, from the  three-month  period
ending  June 30,  1997 to the  equivalent  period  in  1998.  The  increase  was
primarily  due to an  increase  in  repositioning  expense of $109,  offset by a
decrease in storage expense of $94.  Repositioning  expense increased  primarily
due to an increase in the average repositioning cost per container,  offset by a
decrease in the number of containers  repositioned.  Storage  expense  decreased
primarily due to the increase in utilization.

Bad debt expense  decreased  from an expense of $76 for the  three-month  period
ended June 30, 1997 to a benefit of $103 for the comparable  period in 1998. The
benefit  recorded in 1998 was primarily due to the  resolution of payment issues
with one lessee and due to lower reserve requirements.

Depreciation expense decreased $40, or 2% from the three-month period ended June
30, 1997 to the comparable period in 1998 due to the decrease in fleet size.

Management fees to affiliates were comparable for the three-month  periods ended
June 30, 1997 and 1998.

General and administrative  costs to affiliates  decreased $38, or 12%, from the
three-month period ended June 30, 1997 to the comparable period in 1998 due to a
decrease in overhead costs allocated by TFS and TEM.

Other  expense  increased  $92,  primarily due to an increase in loss on sale of
containers  of $106 from the  three-month  period  ending  June 30,  1997 to the
equivalent period in 1998.

Net earnings per limited partnership unit increased from $0.17 to $0.19 from the
three-month  period ending June 30, 1997 to the same period in 1998,  reflecting
the  increase  in net  earnings  allocated  to limited  partners  from $1,024 to
$1,181, respectively.

Many computer systems may experience difficulty processing dates beyond the year
1999 and, as such, some computer  hardware and software will need to be modified
prior to the year 2000 to remain functional. Certain of the General Partners and
Partnership's  core internal systems where Year 2000 issues have been identified
are currently being revised.  Based on its initial  evaluation,  the Partnership
and the  General  Partners  do not  believe  that the cost of  remedial  actions
relating  to  these  systems  will  have  a  material   adverse  effect  on  the
Partnership's results of operations and financial condition.  Additionally,  the
Partnership  and the General  Partners are continuing  their  assessment of Year
2000  issues not related to their core  systems,  including  issues  surrounding
systems that  interface  with external  third  parties.  If external third party
systems  are not Year 2000  compliant,  those  external  third  parties may have
difficulty  conducting  ordinary  operations,  which could adversely  affect the
General Partners and the Partnership.

Although  substantially  all of the  Partnership's  income  from  operations  is
derived from assets employed in foreign operations, virtually all of this income
is  denominated  in United  States  dollars.  The  Partnership's  customers  are
international  shipping  lines,  which transport  goods on  international  trade
routes.  The  domicile  of the lessee is not  indicative  of where the lessee is
transporting  the  containers.  The  Partnership's  business risk in its foreign
operations lies with the  creditworthiness of the lessees, and the Partnership's
ability to keep its containers under lease,  rather than the geographic location
of the  containers or the domicile of the lessees.  The containers are generally
operated on the international high seas rather than on domestic  waterways.  The
containers are subject to the risk of war or other political, economic or social
occurrence  where  the  containers  are used,  which  may  result in the loss of
containers,  which,  in turn,  may have a material  impact on the  Partnership's
results of operations  and  financial  condition.  The General  Partners are not
aware of any  conditions  as of June 30, 1998 which would  result in such a risk
materializing.

Other risks of the Partnership's  leasing  operations include  competition,  the
cost of  repositioning  containers  after  they come  off-lease,  the risk of an
uninsured  loss,  increases in maintenance  expenses or other costs of operating
the  containers,  and the effect of world trade,  industry trends and/or general
business and economic cycles on the Partnership's operations. See "Risk Factors"
in the Partnership's Prospectus, as supplemented,  for additional information on
risks of the Partnership's business.



<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                     TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
                                     A California Limited Partnership

                                     By Textainer Financial Services Corporation
                                        The Managing General Partner



                                     By _______________________________
                                        John R. Rhodes
                                        Executive Vice President


Date:  August 13, 1998

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Textainer  Financial
Services  Corporation,  the Managing  General Partner of the Registrant,  in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                                Title                                          Date

<S>                                      <C>                                           <C> 
________________________                 Executive Vice President,                      August 13, 1998
John R. Rhodes                           (Principal Financial and
                                         Accounting Officer) and
                                         Secretary




________________________                 President (Principal Executive                 August 13, 1998
Philip K. Brewer                          Officer)

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                     TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
                                     A California Limited Partnership

                                     By Textainer Financial Services Corporation
                                        The Managing General Partner



                                     By /s/John R. Rhodes
                                        -------------------------
                                        John R. Rhodes
                                        Executive Vice President


Date:  August 13, 1998


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Textainer  Financial
Services  Corporation,  the Managing  General Partner of the Registrant,  in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                                   Title                                             Date



<S>                                      <C>                                            <C> 
/s/John R. Rhodes                        Executive Vice President,                      August 13, 1998
- -------------------------                (Principal Financial and
John R. Rhodes                           Accounting Officer) and
                                         Secretary



/s/Philip K. Brewer                      President (Principal Executive                 August 13, 1998
- ---------------------------              Officer)
Philip K. Brewer                         


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     Textainer Equipment Income Fund III, LP
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000866888
<NAME>                        Textainer Equipment Income Fund III, LP
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         2,035
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5,171
<ALLOWANCES>                                   566
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               119
<PP&E>                                         111,582
<DEPRECIATION>                                 39,108
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 79,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1,862
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     77,371
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   79,233
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               9,726
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  6,953
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               74
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                2,699
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2,699
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0
        


</TABLE>


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