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<PAGE> PAGE 2
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<PAGE> PAGE 3
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<PAGE> PAGE 11
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<PAGE> PAGE 12
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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<PAGE> PAGE 15
SIGNATURE SCOTT FITZHENRY
TITLE A.V.P. FUND ADMIN.
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
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<NAME> NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III
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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
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<NAME> NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III
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<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 29,871,528
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 895,362
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 105,923
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,001,285
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 26,948,734
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 93,265
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 119,174
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 5,185
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (225,579)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2,141,903
<NET-ASSETS> 28,870,243
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 394,493
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,074
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 286,302
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 117,265
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 483,409
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 602,680
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,203,354
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 3,761
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 95,283
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 548,997
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3,246
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (450,468)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 4,105
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 5,185
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 106,906
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 286,302
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,716,613
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.63
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.87
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.04
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 18.50
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.25
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000949683
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND BULLSEYE FUND CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 16,732,686
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 19,193,923
<RECEIVABLES> 482,202
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,676,125
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 17,538,571
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 668,591
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 763,124
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (96,059)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (444,231)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2,461,237
<NET-ASSETS> 19,459,518
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 101,026
<INTEREST-INCOME> 15,199
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 211,887
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (95,662)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 212,209
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,123,584
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,240,131
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,246,301
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2,423,190
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (1,176,889)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (397)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (96,059)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 93,596
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 211,887
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 9,011,672
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.65
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.94
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.75
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000949683
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND BULLSEYE FUND CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 16,732,686
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 19,193,923
<RECEIVABLES> 482,202
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,676,125
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 17,538,571
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 607,868
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 683,811
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (96,059)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (444,231)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2,461,237
<NET-ASSETS> 19,459,518
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 101,026
<INTEREST-INCOME> 15,199
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 211,887
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (95,662)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 212,209
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,123,584
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,240,131
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,392,539
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2,346,586
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (954,047)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (397)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (96,059)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 93,596
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 211,887
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 8,107,566
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.60
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.09)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.94
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.45
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.50
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000949683
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> NEW ENGLAND BULLSEYE FUND CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 16,732,686
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 19,193,923
<RECEIVABLES> 482,202
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,676,125
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 216,607
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 17,538,571
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 165,345
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 237,180
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (96,059)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (444,231)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2,461,237
<NET-ASSETS> 19,459,518
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 101,026
<INTEREST-INCOME> 15,199
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 211,887
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (95,662)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 212,209
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,123,584
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,240,131
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 174,933
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,082,553
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (907,620)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (397)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (96,059)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 93,596
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 211,887
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2,246,345
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.59
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.10)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.95
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.44
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.50
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
7. Shareholder Meeting Unaudited. At a special shareholders meeting
held on July 27, 1999, shareholders of the Fund voted for the following
proposals:
1. Subadvisory agreement relating to the Fund between NEFM and VNSM
Voted For Voted Against Abstained Votes Broker Non-Votes Total Votes
829,953.823 30,526.261 26,368.194 0.000 886,848.278
2. To the extent permitted by exemptions granted by the SEC, to permit
NEFM to enter into new and amended agreements with subadvisers with respect
to the Fund without obtaining shareholder approval of such agreements,
and to permit such subadvisers to manage assets of the Fund or a segment
thereof pursuant to such subadvisory agreements.
Voted For Voted Against Abstained Votes Broker Non-Votes Total Votes
645,056.774 46,110.013 47,874.491 147,807.000 886,848.278
