<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/schedule13g" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
<headerData>
<submissionType>SCHEDULE 13G</submissionType>
<filerInfo>
<filer>
<filerCredentials>
<cik>0000312069</cik>
<ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
</filerCredentials>
</filer>
<liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
</filerInfo>
</headerData>
<formData>
<coverPageHeader>
<securitiesClassTitle>COMMON-STOCK</securitiesClassTitle>
<eventDateRequiresFilingThisStatement>12/31/2024</eventDateRequiresFilingThisStatement>
<issuerInfo>
<issuerCik>0002002038</issuerCik>
<issuerName>LEGATO MERGER CORP III</issuerName>
<issuerCusip>G5451A103</issuerCusip>
<issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
<com:street1>777 Third Avenue</com:street1>
<com:street2>37th Floor</com:street2>
<com:city>New York</com:city>
<com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
<com:zipCode>10017</com:zipCode>
</issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
</issuerInfo>
</coverPageHeader>
<coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
<reportingPersonName>Ramya Rao</reportingPersonName>
<citizenshipOrOrganization>X0</citizenshipOrOrganization>
<reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
<soleVotingPower>1434783</soleVotingPower>
<sharedVotingPower>0</sharedVotingPower>
<soleDispositivePower>1434783</soleDispositivePower>
<sharedDispositivePower>0</sharedDispositivePower>
</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
<reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>1434783</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
<classPercent>5.56</classPercent>
<typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
</coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
<items>
<item1>
<issuerName>LEGATO MERGER CORP III</issuerName>
<issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, NY, 10017</issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
</item1>
<item2>
<filingPersonName>Ramya Rao</filingPersonName>
<principalBusinessOfficeOrResidenceAddress>1 Churchill Place, London - E14 5HP</principalBusinessOfficeOrResidenceAddress>
<citizenship>X0</citizenship>
</item2>
<item3>
<notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
<typeOfPersonFiling>HC</typeOfPersonFiling>
</item3>
<item4>
<amountBeneficiallyOwned>1434783</amountBeneficiallyOwned>
<classPercent>5.56</classPercent>
<numberOfSharesPersonHas>
<solePowerOrDirectToVote>1434783</solePowerOrDirectToVote>
<sharedPowerOrDirectToVote>0</sharedPowerOrDirectToVote>
<solePowerOrDirectToDispose>1434783</solePowerOrDirectToDispose>
<sharedPowerOrDirectToDispose>0</sharedPowerOrDirectToDispose>
</numberOfSharesPersonHas>
</item4>
<item5>
<notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
</item5>
<item6>
<notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
<ownershipMoreThan5PercentOnBehalfOfAnotherPerson>N</ownershipMoreThan5PercentOnBehalfOfAnotherPerson>
</item6>
<item7>
<notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
<subsidiaryIdentificationAndClassification>Barclays Bank PLC</subsidiaryIdentificationAndClassification>
</item7>
<item8>
<notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
</item8>
<item9>
<notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
</item9>
<item10>
<notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
<certifications>By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect ofchanging or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection withor as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with anomination under &amp;#xa7; 240.</certifications>
</item10>
</items>
<signatureInformation>
<reportingPersonName>Ramya Rao</reportingPersonName>
<signatureDetails>
<signature>Ramya Rao</signature>
<title>Ramya Rao</title>
<date>02/07/2025</date>
</signatureDetails>
</signatureInformation>
</formData>
</edgarSubmission>
