FIDELITY (LOGO) INVESTMENTS(registered trademark) FMR Corp.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston MA
02109-3614
617 563 7000
May 1, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Attention: File Room
RE: Variable Insurance Products Fund III (the trust):
Balanced Portfolio, Growth & Income Portfolio
and Growth Opportunities Portfolio (the funds)
File Nos. 33-54837 and 811-7205
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
Transmitted herewith pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act
of 1933 is certification that the Prospectuses and Statement of
Additional Information with respect to the above referenced funds does
not differ from that filed in the most recent post-effective
amendment, which was filed electronically.
Very truly yours,
/s/Eric D. Roiter
Eric D. Roiter
Secretary
