VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS III
NSAR-B, 1999-02-26
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 B000000 12/31/98
000 C000000 0000927384
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
001 B000000 811-7205
001 C000000 6175631952
002 A000000 82 DEVONSHIRE STREET
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
002 D010000 02109
003  000000 N
004  000000 N
005  000000 N
006  000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000  4
007 C010100  1
007 C010200  2
007 C010300  3
007 C010400  4
007 C020400 VIP III BALANCED PORTFOLIO
007 C030400 N
007 C010500  5
007 C020500 VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
007 C030500 N
007 C010600  6
007 C010700  7
007 C020700 VIP III GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
007 C030700 N
007 C010800  8
007 C020800 VIP III MID CAP PORTFOLIO
007 C030800 N
007 C010900  9
007 C011000 10
011 A00AA01 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
011 B00AA01 8-8775
011 C01AA01 BOSTON
011 C02AA01 MA
011 C03AA01 02109
012 A00AA01 FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS
012 B00AA01 84-00216
012 C01AA01 BOSTON
012 C02AA01 MA
012 C03AA01 02109
014 A00AA01 FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES, INC.
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
014 B00AA01 8-23292
014 A00AA02 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
014 B00AA02 8-8775
014 A00AA03 FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES
014 B00AA03 8-00000
014 A00AA04 NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
014 B00AA04 8-26740
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00  236
019 C00AA00 FIDELITYZZ
020 A000001 MORGAN STANLEY & CO., INC.
020 B000001 13-2655998
020 C000001    454
020 A000002 FIDELITY CAPITAL MARKETS INC.
020 B000002 04-2653569
020 C000002    273
020 A000003 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
020 B000003 13-5674085
020 C000003    109
020 A000004 FIRST BOSTON CORP
020 C000004     90
020 A000005 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO., INC.
020 B000005 13-5108880
020 C000005     86
020 A000006 DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES COPR.
020 B000006 13-2741729
020 C000006     85
020 A000007 DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000007 13-2730828
020 C000007     80
020 A000008 BROWN (ALEX) & SONS, INC.
020 B000008 52-1319768
020 C000008     67
020 A000009 SMITH BARNEY SHEARSON INC.
020 B000009 13-1912900
020 C000009     58
020 A000010 NATIONSBANK SECURUTIES MONTGOMERY
020 B000010 13-2625874
020 C000010     57
021  000000     2104
022 A000001 TAXABLE CENTRAL CASH FUND
022 B000001 04-3331103
022 C000001   1189737
022 D000001   1094598
022 A000002 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000002 13-5108880
022 C000002     47331
022 D000002     33622
022 A000003 DESTINY II
022 B000003 04-6538289
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
022 C000003     19744
022 D000003     50763
022 A000004 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000004 13-2518466
022 C000004     29793
022 D000004     35606
022 A000005 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH, INC.
022 B000005 13-5674085
022 C000005     45828
022 D000005     16951
022 A000006 SMITH BARNEY SHERSON
022 B000006 04-3037078
022 C000006     51417
022 D000006     26585
022 A000007 MORGAN STANLEY & CO., INC.
022 B000007 13-2655998
022 C000007     23852
022 D000007     43348
022 A000008 CONTRAFUND
022 B000008 04-6506833
022 C000008     30157
022 D000008     10131
022 A000009 FIDELITY ASSET MANAGER FUND
022 B000009 04-3037078
022 C000009     22216
022 D000009      9363
022 A000010 BEAR STREARNS AND CO.
022 B000010 13-3299429
022 C000010      8562
022 D000010     12980
023 C000000    1984037
023 D000000    1428960
026 A000000 Y
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 Y
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 Y
027  000000 Y
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 Y
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 Y
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
054 N00AA00 N
054 O00AA00 Y
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
077 C000000 N
077 D000000 N
077 E000000 N
077 F000000 N
077 G000000 N
077 H000000 N
077 I000000 Y
077 J000000 N
077 K000000 N
077 L000000 N
077 M000000 N
077 N000000 N
077 O000000 N
077 P000000 N
077 Q010000 Y
077 Q020000 N
077 Q030000 N
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SPECIALITY LINES INS.O
080 B00AA00 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY
080 C00AA00   220000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 232
082 A00AA00 N
082 B00AA00        0
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
086 A010000      0
086 A020000      0
086 B010000      0
086 B020000      0
086 C010000      0
086 C020000      0
086 D010000      0
086 D020000      0
086 E010000      0
086 E020000      0
086 F010000      0
086 F020000      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
008 A000401 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
008 B000401 A
008 C000401 801-7884
008 D010401 BOSTON
008 D020401 MA
008 D030401 02109
008 A000402 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC.
008 B000402 S
008 C000402 801-28773
008 D010402 LONDON
008 D050402 ENGLAND
008 A000403 FIDELITY MGT & RESEARCH (FAR EAST) INC.
008 B000403 S
008 C000403 801-28774
008 D010403 TOKYO
008 D050403 JAPAN
013 A000401 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
013 B010401 BOSTON
013 B020401 MA
013 B030401 02109
015 A000401 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000401 C
015 C010401 NEW YORK
015 C020401 NY
015 C030401 10260
015 E010401 X
024  000400 Y
025 A000401 TAXABLE CENTRAL CASH FUND
025 B000401 04-3331103
025 C000401 D
025 D000401   25959
025 A000402 MORGAN STANLEY INC.
025 B000402 13-2655998
025 C000402 D
025 D000402     249
025 D000403       0
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<PAGE>      PAGE  6
028 C030400         0
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028 G010400     64684
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031 A000400      0
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039  000400 N
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041  000400 Y
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042 D000400   0
042 E000400   0
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048 A020400 0.000
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
048 B010400        0
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048 E010400        0
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048 F020400 0.000
048 G010400        0
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048 H010400        0
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048 I010400        0
048 I020400 0.000
048 J010400        0
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048 K010400        0
048 K020400 0.000
049  000400 N
050  000400 N
051  000400 N
052  000400 Y
053 A000400 Y
053 B000400 Y
053 C000400 N
055 A000400 N
055 B000400 N
056  000400 Y
057  000400 N
058 A000400 N
059  000400 Y
060 A000400 Y
060 B000400 Y
061  000400        0
062 A000400 N
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062 C000400   0.0
062 D000400   0.0
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062 L000400   0.0
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062 N000400   0.0
062 O000400   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
062 P000400   0.0
062 Q000400   0.0
062 R000400   0.0
063 A000400   0
063 B000400  0.0
066 A000400 Y
066 B000400 N
066 C000400 N
066 D000400 N
066 E000400 Y
066 F000400 N
066 G000400 N
067  000400 Y
068 A000400 N
068 B000400 N
069  000400 N
070 A010400 Y
070 A020400 Y
070 B010400 Y
070 B020400 N
070 C010400 Y
070 C020400 N
070 D010400 Y
070 D020400 N
070 E010400 Y
070 E020400 N
070 F010400 Y
070 F020400 N
070 G010400 Y
070 G020400 N
070 H010400 Y
070 H020400 N
070 I010400 Y
070 I020400 N
070 J010400 Y
070 J020400 Y
070 K010400 Y
070 K020400 Y
070 L010400 Y
070 L020400 Y
070 M010400 Y
070 M020400 Y
070 N010400 Y
070 N020400 N
070 O010400 Y
070 O020400 N
070 P010400 Y
070 P020400 Y
070 Q010400 N
070 Q020400 N
070 R010400 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
070 R020400 N
071 A000400    293141
071 B000400    231680
071 C000400    245780
071 D000400   94
072 A000400 12
072 B000400     6365
072 C000400     2746
072 D000400        0
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072 G000400        0
072 H000400        0
072 I000400      178
072 J000400       25
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072 L000400        0
072 M000400        1
072 N000400        0
072 O000400        0
072 P000400        0
072 Q000400      156
072 R000400       22
072 S000400        2
072 T000400        3
072 U000400        0
072 V000400        0
072 W000400       17
072 X000400     1539
072 Y000400       30
072 Z000400     7602
072AA000400     8523
072BB000400        0
072CC010400    26055
072CC020400        0
072DD010400     5425
072DD020400        0
072EE000400     8288
073 A010400   0.3600
073 A020400   0.3600
073 B000400   0.5500
073 C000400   0.0000
074 A000400       42
074 B000400        0
074 C000400        0
074 D000400    89812
074 E000400     1946
074 F000400   209826
074 G000400        0
074 H000400        0
074 I000400    25959
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
074 J000400    10756
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074 L000400     1810
074 M000400        0
074 N000400   340150
074 O000400    22600
074 P000400      112
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074 R020400        0
074 R030400        0
074 R040400      194
074 S000400        0
074 T000400   317244
074 U010400    19097
074 U020400      595
074 V010400    16.11
074 V020400    16.07
074 W000400   0.0000
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075 A000400        0
075 B000400   258924
076  000400     0.00
008 A000501 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
008 B000501 A
008 C000501 801-7884
008 D010501 BOSTON
008 D020501 MA
008 D030501 02109
008 A000502 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC.
008 B000502 S
008 C000502 801-28773
008 D010502 LONDON
008 D050502 ENGLAND
008 A000503 FIDELITY MGT & RESEARCH (FAR EAST) INC.
008 B000503 S
008 C000503 801-28774
008 D010503 TOKYO
008 D050503 JAPAN
013 A000501 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
013 B010501 BOSTON
013 B020501 MA
013 B030501 02109
015 A000501 BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
015 B000501 C
015 C010501 BOSTON
015 C020501 MA
015 C030501 02109
015 E010501 X
024  000500 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
025 A000501 TAXABLE CENTRAL CASH FUND
025 B000501 04-3331103
025 C000501 D
025 D000501   77214
025 A000502 MERRILY LYNCH & CO. INC.
025 B000502 13-5674085
025 C000502 E
025 D000502    3364
025 A000503 MORGAN STANLEY, DEAN WITTIER & CO.
025 B000503 13-265998
025 C000503 E
025 D000503    2939
025 D000504       0
025 D000505       0
025 D000506       0
025 D000507       0
025 D000508       0
028 A010500     42972
028 A020500         0
028 A030500         0
028 A040500     20187
028 B010500     31414
028 B020500         0
028 B030500         0
028 B040500     28591
028 C010500     32119
028 C020500         0
028 C030500         0
028 C040500     17530
028 D010500     41494
028 D020500         0
028 D030500         0
028 D040500     29784
028 E010500     46889
028 E020500         0
028 E030500         0
028 E040500     11998
028 F010500     43565
028 F020500         0
028 F030500         0
028 F040500     15826
028 G010500    238453
028 G020500         0
028 G030500         0
028 G040500    123916
028 H000500         0
029  000500 N
030 A000500      0
030 B000500  0.00
030 C000500  0.00
031 A000500      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
031 B000500      0
032  000500      0
033  000500      0
034  000500 N
035  000500      0
036 B000500      0
037  000500 N
038  000500      0
039  000500 N
040  000500 Y
041  000500 Y
042 A000500   0
042 B000500   0
042 C000500 100
042 D000500   0
042 E000500   0
042 F000500   0
042 G000500   0
042 H000500   0
043  000500     66
044  000500      0
045  000500 Y
046  000500 N
047  000500 N
048  000500  0.000
048 A010500        0
048 A020500 0.000
048 B010500        0
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048 C010500        0
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048 J020500 0.000
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048 K020500 0.000
049  000500 N
050  000500 N
051  000500 N
052  000500 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
053 A000500 Y
053 B000500 Y
053 C000500 N
055 A000500 N
055 B000500 N
056  000500 Y
057  000500 N
058 A000500 N
059  000500 Y
060 A000500 Y
060 B000500 Y
061  000500        0
062 A000500 N
062 B000500   0.0
062 C000500   0.0
062 D000500   0.0
062 E000500   0.0
062 F000500   0.0
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062 I000500   0.0
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066 A000500 Y
066 B000500 N
066 C000500 N
066 D000500 Y
066 E000500 N
066 F000500 N
066 G000500 N
067  000500 N
068 A000500 N
068 B000500 N
069  000500 N
070 A010500 Y
070 A020500 Y
070 B010500 Y
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070 C010500 Y
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<PAGE>      PAGE  14
070 E010500 Y
070 E020500 N
070 F010500 Y
070 F020500 Y
070 G010500 Y
070 G020500 N
070 H010500 Y
070 H020500 N
070 I010500 Y
070 I020500 N
070 J010500 Y
070 J020500 N
070 K010500 Y
070 K020500 N
070 L010500 Y
070 L020500 Y
070 M010500 Y
070 M020500 Y
070 N010500 Y
070 N020500 N
070 O010500 Y
070 O020500 N
070 P010500 Y
070 P020500 Y
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<PAGE>      PAGE  15
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<PAGE>      PAGE  16
008 A000701 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
008 B000701 A
008 C000701 801-7884
008 D010701 BOSTON
008 D020701 MA
008 D030701 02109
008 A000702 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC.
008 B000702 S
008 C000702 801-28773
008 D010702 LONDON
008 D050702 ENGLAND
008 A000703 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (FAR EAST) INC
008 B000703 S
008 C000703 801-28774
008 D010703 TOKYO
008 D050703 JAPAN
013 A000701 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
013 B010701 BOSTON
013 B020701 MA
013 B030701 02109
015 A000701 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000701 C
015 C010701 NEY YORK
015 C020701 NY
015 C030701 10260
015 E010701 X
024  000700 Y
025 A000701 TAXABLE CENTRAL CASH FUND
025 B000701 04-3331103
025 C000701 D
025 D000701  105855
025 D000702       0
025 D000703       0
025 D000704       0
025 D000705       0
025 D000706       0
025 D000707       0
025 D000708       0
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028 A030700         0
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028 B010700     24250
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028 B030700         0
028 B040700     19975
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028 C020700         0
028 C030700         0
028 C040700      6594
028 D010700     39887
<PAGE>      PAGE  17
028 D020700         0
028 D030700         0
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028 E010700     56979
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028 E030700         0
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028 G030700         0
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031 B000700      0
032  000700      0
033  000700      0
034  000700 N
035  000700      0
036 B000700      0
037  000700 N
038  000700      0
039  000700 N
040  000700 Y
041  000700 Y
042 A000700   0
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<PAGE>      PAGE  18
048 C020700 0.000
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055 A000700 N
055 B000700 N
056  000700 Y
057  000700 N
058 A000700 N
059  000700 Y
060 A000700 Y
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062 H000700   0.0
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062 J000700   0.0
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062 L000700   0.0
062 M000700   0.0
062 N000700   0.0
062 O000700   0.0
062 P000700   0.0
062 Q000700   0.0
062 R000700   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  19
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066 C000700 N
066 D000700 N
066 E000700 Y
066 F000700 N
066 G000700 N
067  000700 N
068 A000700 N
068 B000700 N
069  000700 N
070 A010700 Y
070 A020700 Y
070 B010700 Y
070 B020700 N
070 C010700 Y
070 C020700 N
070 D010700 Y
070 D020700 N
070 E010700 Y
070 E020700 N
070 F010700 Y
070 F020700 N
070 G010700 Y
070 G020700 N
070 H010700 Y
070 H020700 N
070 I010700 Y
070 I020700 N
070 J010700 Y
070 J020700 N
070 K010700 Y
070 K020700 Y
070 L010700 Y
070 L020700 Y
070 M010700 Y
070 M020700 Y
070 N010700 Y
070 N020700 N
070 O010700 Y
070 O020700 N
070 P010700 Y
070 P020700 Y
070 Q010700 N
070 Q020700 N
070 R010700 N
070 R020700 N
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071 B000700    423513
<PAGE>      PAGE  20
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071 D000700   66
072 A000700 12
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072DD020700        0
072EE000700     2137
073 A010700   0.0000
073 A020700   0.0000
073 B000700   0.0700
073 C000700   0.0000
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074 B000700        0
074 C000700        0
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<PAGE>      PAGE  21
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074 U010700    70692
074 U020700     1140
074 V010700    16.15
074 V020700    16.11
074 W000700   0.0000
074 X000700       50
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075 A000700        0
075 B000700   707504
076  000700     0.00
008 A000801 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
008 B000801 A
008 C000801 801-7884
008 D010801 BOSTON
008 D020801 MA
008 D030801 02109
008 A000802 FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC.
008 B000802 S
008 C000802 801-28773
008 D010802 LONDON
008 D050802 ENGLAND
008 A000803 FIDELITY MGT & RESEARCH (FAR EAST) INC.
008 B000803 S
008 C000803 801-28774
008 D010803 TOKYO
008 D050803 JAPAN
013 A000801 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
013 B010801 BOSTON
013 B020801 MA
013 B030801 02109
015 A000801 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000801 C
015 C010801 NEW YORK
015 C020801 NY
015 C030801 10260
015 E010801 X
024  000800 N
025 D000801       0
025 D000802       0
025 D000803       0
<PAGE>      PAGE  22
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028 F030800         0
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028 G010800       100
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028 G030800         0
028 G040800         0
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029  000800 N
030 A000800      0
030 B000800  0.00
030 C000800  0.00
031 A000800      0
031 B000800      0
032  000800      0
033  000800      0
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035  000800      0
036 B000800      0
037  000800 N
038  000800      0
039  000800 N
040  000800 Y
041  000800 Y
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<PAGE>      PAGE  23
042 B000800   0
042 C000800 100
042 D000800   0
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042 F000800   0
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042 H000800   0
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046  000800 N
047  000800 N
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048 I010800        0
048 I020800 0.000
048 J010800        0
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048 K010800        0
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050  000800 N
051  000800 N
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053 B000800 Y
053 C000800 N
055 A000800 N
055 B000800 N
056  000800 Y
057  000800 N
058 A000800 N
059  000800 Y
060 A000800 Y
060 B000800 Y
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<PAGE>      PAGE  24
062 A000800 N
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062 N000800   0.0
062 O000800   0.0
062 P000800   0.0
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062 R000800   0.0
066 A000800 Y
066 B000800 N
066 C000800 N
066 D000800 Y
066 E000800 N
066 F000800 N
066 G000800 N
067  000800 Y
068 A000800 N
068 B000800 N
069  000800 N
070 A010800 Y
070 A020800 Y
070 B010800 Y
070 B020800 N
070 C010800 Y
070 C020800 N
070 D010800 Y
070 D020800 N
070 E010800 Y
070 E020800 N
070 F010800 Y
070 F020800 N
070 G010800 Y
070 G020800 N
070 H010800 Y
070 H020800 N
070 I010800 Y
070 I020800 N
070 J010800 Y
070 J020800 N
070 K010800 Y
070 K020800 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  25
070 L010800 Y
070 L020800 Y
070 M010800 Y
070 M020800 N
070 N010800 Y
070 N020800 N
070 O010800 Y
070 O020800 N
070 P010800 Y
070 P020800 N
070 Q010800 N
070 Q020800 N
070 R010800 N
070 R020800 N
071 A000800       994
071 B000800        15
071 C000800      1006
071 D000800  149
072 A000800  1
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072 T000800        0
072 U000800        0
072 V000800        0
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072 X000800       14
072 Y000800       13
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072AA000800        0
072BB000800        0
072CC010800       32
072CC020800        0
072DD010800        0
072DD020800        0
072EE000800        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  26
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074 T000800     1031
074 U010800       50
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074 V010800    10.31
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074 Y000800        0
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075 B000800      503
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SIGNATURE   JOHN H. COSTELLO                             
TITLE       ASSISTANT TREASURER 
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	71

	<NAME>	Growth & Income Portfolio Initial Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
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DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
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967,877
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1,160,525
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10,925
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0
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0
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70,692
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0
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814,884
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0
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0
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4,334
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701,040
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12.530
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 .150
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0
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61
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0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	72

	<NAME>	Growth & Income Portfolio Service Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

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1,160,525
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10,925
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0
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0
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1,171,450
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10,707
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562
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11,269
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0
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948,361
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1,141
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1
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192,649
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1,160,181
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8,841
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3,074
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0
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>
7,653
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11,914
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159,411
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178,978
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814,884
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0
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1,936
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0
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0
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0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
4,334
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6,464
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12.530
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 .150
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0
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 .070
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0
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71
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0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	41

	<NAME>	Balanced Portfolio Initial Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
DEC-31-1998
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277,037
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327,542
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12,566
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42
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0
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340,150
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22,600
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0
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306
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22,906
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0
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250,824
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19,097
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14,709
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7,505
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0
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8,401
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0
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50,514
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317,244
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2,746
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6,365
<OTHER-INCOME>
0
<EXPENSES-NET>
1,509
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>
7,602
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>
8,524
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>
26,055
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>
42,181
<EQUALIZATION>
0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>
5,425
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
8,288
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0
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6,631
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3,218
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975
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>
102,695
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>
5,298
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>
8,197
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>
0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>
0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>
1,135
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>
0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
1,539
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>
255,648
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>
14.580
<PER-SHARE-NII>
 .440
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>
2.000
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>
 .360
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 .550
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0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
16.110
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
59
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>
0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	42

	<NAME>	Balanced Portfolio Service Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
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277,037
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327,542
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12,566
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42
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0
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340,150
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22,600
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0
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306
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22,906
<SENIOR-EQUITY>
0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>
250,824
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595
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>
1
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7,505
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0
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8,401
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>
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<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>
50,514
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317,244
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2,746
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6,365
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0
<EXPENSES-NET>
1,509
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>
7,602
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>
8,524
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26,055
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42,181
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>
0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
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0
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>
16
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0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>
102,695
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5,298
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>
8,197
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0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>
0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>
1,135
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0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
1,539
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>
3,276
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>
14.590
<PER-SHARE-NII>
 .410
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>
1.980
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>
 .360
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 .550
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>
0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
16.070
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>
0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	51

	<NAME>	Growth Opportunities PortfolioIntial Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>
1,285,902
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>
1,717,701
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16,853
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0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>
0
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1,734,554
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12,794
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>
0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>
2,253
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>
15,047
<SENIOR-EQUITY>
0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>
1,241,471
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>
68,622
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>
53,221
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17,080
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0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>
29,119
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>
0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>
431,837
<NET-ASSETS>
1,719,507
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>
14,934
<INTEREST-INCOME>
11,930
<OTHER-INCOME>
0
<EXPENSES-NET>
9,615
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>
17,249
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>
29,400
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>
261,670
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>
308,319
<EQUALIZATION>
0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>
11,951
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
41,544
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>
0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>
21,572
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>
8,990
<SHARES-REINVESTED>
2,819
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>
691,151
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>
11,667
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>
41,678
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>
0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>
0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>
8,011
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>
0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
9,695
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>
1,296,367
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>
19.270
<PER-SHARE-NII>
 .260
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>
4.290
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>
 .210
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>
 .730
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>
0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
22.880
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
71
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>
0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	52

	<NAME>	Growth Opportunities PortfolioService Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>
1,285,902
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>
1,717,701
<RECEIVABLES>
16,853
<ASSETS-OTHER>
0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>
0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>
1,734,554
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>
12,794
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>
0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>
2,253
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>
15,047
<SENIOR-EQUITY>
0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>
1,241,471
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>
6,539
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>
134
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>
17,080
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>
0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>
29,119
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>
0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>
431,837
<NET-ASSETS>
1,719,507
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14,934
<INTEREST-INCOME>
11,930
<OTHER-INCOME>
0
<EXPENSES-NET>
9,615
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>
17,249
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>
29,400
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>
261,670
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>
308,319
<EQUALIZATION>
0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>
67
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
233
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>
0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>
6,429
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>
40
<SHARES-REINVESTED>
16
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>
691,151
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>
11,667
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>
41,678
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>
0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>
0
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8,011
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>
0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
9,695
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66,401
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>
19.270
<PER-SHARE-NII>
 .230
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>
4.300
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>
 .210
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>
 .730
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>
0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
22.860
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>
0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	81

	<NAME>	Mid Cap PortfolioIntial Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

<PERIOD-TYPE>
YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>
978
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>
1,011
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29
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32
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0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>
1,072
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27
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>
0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>
14
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>
41
<SENIOR-EQUITY>
0
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1,000
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50
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0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>
0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>
0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>
(1)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>
0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>
32
<NET-ASSETS>
1,031
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0
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0
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0
<EXPENSES-NET>
0
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0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>
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32
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31
<EQUALIZATION>
0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
0
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0
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0
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0
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0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>
0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>
14
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>
503
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>
10.000
<PER-SHARE-NII>
 .000
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>
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0
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0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
10.310
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
100
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0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>	6 

<CIK>	0000927384

<NAME>	Variable Insurance Products Fund III

<SERIES>

	<NUMBER>	82

	<NAME>	Mid Cap PortfolioService Class

<MULTIPLIER>	1,000

       

<S>

<C>

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YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>
DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>
DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>
978
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1,011
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29
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32
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0
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14
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31
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0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>
0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>
0
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0
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14
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503
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10.000
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 .000
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0
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0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>
0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>
10.310
<EXPENSE-RATIO>
110
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>
0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>
0

        



</TABLE>


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