UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM N-PX

         ANNUAL REPORT OF PROXY VOTING RECORD OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
                               INVESTMENT COMPANY

                    Investment Company Act File No. 811-21994


                      First Trust Strategic High Income Fund III
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          Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust


             1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532
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 Address of Principal Executive Offices (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)


                                W. Scott Jardine
                          First Trust Portfolios L.P.
                        1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
                              Lisle, Illinois 60532
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  Name and Address (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) of Agent for Service


                                 (630) 241-4141
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               Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code


                      Date of fiscal year end: October 31
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             Date of reporting period: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007
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Form N-PX is to be used by a registered management investment company, other
than a small business investment company registered on Form N-5 (ss.ss. 239.24
and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than
August 31 of each year, containing the registrant's proxy voting record for the
most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, pursuant to section 30 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and rule 30b1-4 thereunder (17 CFR 270.30b1-4).
The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-PX in its regulatory,
disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-PX, and
the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required
to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-PX unless the
Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control
number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information
collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington
D.C. 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the
clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507.



Item 1.  Proxy Voting Record

The Registrant did not receive any proxies and accordingly did not vote
any proxies during the reporting period on behalf of the Fund.





                                  SIGNATURES

                          [See General Instruction F]

Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


(Registrant)               FIRST TRUST STRATEGIC HIGH INCOME FUND III
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By (Signature and Title)*  /s/ James A. Bowen
                           -----------------------------------
                           James A. Bowen, President


Date                       August 31, 2007
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* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.