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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RFqoSilnugC60ZXdWxRHXZ1sWzCoFXIMz117etk+U4Pu5THIndLGwOfvL8B08jHW
 iwJpsxyzrEH1awEwXh3aZg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-033045.txt : 20040625
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-033045.hdr.sgml : 20040625
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040625173733
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-033045
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040626
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040625

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN RETIREMENT VILLAS PROPERTIES III LTD PARTNERSHIP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000853274
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE [6500]
		IRS NUMBER:				330365417
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		245 FISCHER AVE STE D 1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147517400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		245 FISCHER AVE STE D1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARV ASSISTED LIVING INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000949322
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-30084
		FILM NUMBER:		04882940

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		245 FISCHER AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE D-1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147517400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		245 FISCHER AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE D-1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a99937arv.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000853274</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN RETIREMENT VILLAS PROPERTIES III LTD PARTNERSHIP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>N/A</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000949322</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ARV ASSISTED LIVING INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>245 FISCHER AVENUE COSTA MESA, CA 92626</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Managing General Partner</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited Partnership Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4414.414</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>400.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14222.087</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>General Partner</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Satement of American Retirement Villas Properties III Acquisition, L.P. (&quot;ARVP III&quot;), dated March 24, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">By ARVP III, of which ARV Assisted Living, Inc., is a General Partner.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ MARK JESSEE</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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