-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001002856-07-000001.txt : 20070802
<SEC-HEADER>0001002856-07-000001.hdr.sgml : 20070802
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070802171025
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001002856-07-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070802
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070802

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND III L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000914248
		IRS NUMBER:				550898321
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		527 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2600
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-319-6670

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		527 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2600
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AWM INVESTMENT CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001002856
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08110
		FILM NUMBER:		071021295

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUNDS
		STREET 2:		527 MADISON AVENUE, SUITE 2600
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122076500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUNDS
		STREET 2:		527 MADISON AVENUE, SUITE 2600
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000914248</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND III L P</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SSF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001002856</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AWM INVESTMENT CO INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUNDS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>527 MADISON AVENUE, SUITE 2600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Investment Advise</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units of Limited Partnership Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>31.6845</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>149.5863</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through Investment Adviser</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units of Limited Partnership Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>36.9298</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>186.5161</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through Investment Adviser</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">To record semi-annual adjustment of units from profit (loss) reinvestment.  Units are owned by MGP Advisers Limited Partnership (MGP), the general partner and investment adviser of the issuer, of which AWM Investment Company, Inc. is the general partner.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David M. Greenhouse, Vice President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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