-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BrLj6AoWZ9mqe7m1u4T9J6f6XnN+I+U1RH7okC0nXKZEBCe7M30HjDgnFwr5GAgO
 TQNBBqNbMORZOiOsC9KTJw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437043-08-000113.txt : 20080609
<SEC-HEADER>0001437043-08-000113.hdr.sgml : 20080609
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080609172041
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437043-08-000113
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080530
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080609
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080609

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NUVEEN SELECT TAX FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO 3
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000888411
		IRS NUMBER:				363829719
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 W WACKER DR
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3129178200

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Rohrbacher Christopher M.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001437043

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-06693
		FILM NUMBER:		08888918

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3129177700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 W. WACKER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		C/O NUVEEN INVESTMENTS
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>roh25.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000888411</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NUVEEN SELECT TAX FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO 3</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NXR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001437043</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rohrbacher Christopher M.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>333 W. WACKER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Rohrbacher, Christopher M.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----