U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                     FORM 15

Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration under Section 12(g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Suspension of Duty to File Reports Under
Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                         Commission File Number: 0-18563
                                                 -------

             JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND-III LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             -------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              200 CLARENDON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116 (800) 722-5457
              -----------------------------------------------------
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                      UNITS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTEREST
                      -------------------------------------
            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)


                                      NONE
                                      ----
(Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports
under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)

Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule provision(s)
relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:


Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)        [ X ]          Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)     [   ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)       [   ]          Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)      [   ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)        [   ]          Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)     [   ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)       [   ]          Rule 15d-6               [   ]
Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)        [   ]

Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date:
None

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 John Hancock
Realty Income Fund-III Limited Partnership has caused this certification/notice
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.

DATE:  December 27, 2001             By:      John Hancock Realty Equities, Inc.
                                              General Partner

                                     By:      /s/ Paul F. Hahesy
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Paul F. Hahesy, President