<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Registrant's unaudited interim financial statements for the nine month period
ended September 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to those
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000917032
<NAME> RIDGEWOOD ELECTRIC POWER TRUST III
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 23,788,582<F1>
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 106,604
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,896,186
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,234,335<F2>
<BONDS> 0
<COMMON> 0
0
0
<OTHER-SE> 22,661,851<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,896,186
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,615,209
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 923,426
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 691,783
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 691,783
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 691,783
<EPS-BASIC> 1,765
<EPS-DILUTED> 1,765
<FN>
<F1>Investments in power project partnerships.
<F2>Includes $243,479 due to affiliates.
<F3>Represents Investor Shares of beneficial interest
in Trust with capital accounts of $22,766,267 less
managing shareholder's accumulated deficit of $104,416.
</FN>
</TABLE>