Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q


QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number         811-21157         

        Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606         

Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Jessica R. Droeger—Vice President and Secretary
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606         

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         312-917-7700        

Date of fiscal year end:            07/31          

Date of reporting period:          10/31/04         

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)
Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 (NXE)
October 31, 2004


Principal

Optional Call

Market

Amount (000)

Description(1)

Provisions*

Ratings**

Value


Consumer Staples - 3.9% (2.6% of Total Investments)

 

$

1,890

Puerto Rico, The Children's Trust Fund, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Refunding Bonds, Series

5/12 at 100.00

BBB

$    1,730,692

   2002, 5.375%, 5/15/33


Education and Civic Organizations - 15.7% (10.5% of Total Investments)

 

2,000

Arizona State University, System Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, 5.750%, 7/01/27 - FGIC Insured

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,248,540

 

1,000

Arizona Student Loan Acquisition Authority, Student Loan Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series

11/09 at 102.00

Aaa

1,091,740

   1999A-1, 5.750%, 5/01/15 (Alternative Minimum Tax)

 

1,130

Energy Management Services LLC, Arizona State University, Energy Conservation Revenue Bonds, Main

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,256,526

   Campus Project, Series 2002, 5.250%, 7/01/18 - MBIA Insured

 

270

Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Revenue Bonds, Midwestern University, Series

5/08 at 101.00

A-

278,216

   1998A, 5.375%, 5/15/28

 

2,000

University of Arizona, Certificates of Participation, Series 2002B, 5.125%, 6/01/20 - AMBAC

6/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,148,120

   Insured


Healthcare - 16.0% (10.7% of Total Investments)

 

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, Hospital System Revenue Bonds, Phoenix Children's Hospital,

Series 1999A:

750

   6.125%, 11/15/22

11/09 at 100.00

Ba2

750,458

520

   6.250%, 11/15/29

11/09 at 100.00

Ba2

523,099

 

1,000

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, Hospital System Revenue Bonds, John C. Lincoln Health Network,

12/10 at 102.00

BBB

1,123,480

   Series 2000, 6.875%, 12/01/20

 

300

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Catholic Healthcare West, Series

7/10 at 101.00

BBB+

332,085

   1999A, 6.625%, 7/01/20

 

2,000

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Mayo Clinic

5/08 at 101.00

AA

2,072,460

   Hospital, Series 1998, 5.250%, 11/15/37

 

1,250

Scottsdale Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Scottsdale

12/11 at 101.00

A3

1,317,413

   Healthcare, Series 2001, 5.800%, 12/01/31

 

1,000

Yavapai County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Yavapai Regional

8/13 at 100.00

Baa2

1,049,510

   Medical Center, Series 2003A, 6.000%, 8/01/33


Housing/Multifamily - 14.6% (9.8% of Total Investments)

 

1,750

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Multifamily Housing Senior Revenue

1/18 at 100.00

AAA

1,795,885

   Bonds, National Voluntary Health Facilities II, Series 1998A, 5.100%, 1/01/33 - FSA Insured

 

2,500

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, GNMA Collateralized Multifamily Housing

10/10 at 105.00

Aaa

2,708,200

   Revenue Bonds, Villas at Augusta, Series 2000, 6.500%, 10/20/33

 

1,545

Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, GNMA Collateralized Multifamily Housing Revenue

6/11 at 102.00

Aaa

1,656,673

   Bonds, Campaigne Place on Jackson, Series 2001, 5.600%, 6/20/21 (Alternative Minimum Tax)

 

380

Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, GNMA Collateralized Multifamily Housing Revenue

4/15 at 100.00

Aaa

380,000

   Bonds, Park Lee Apartments, Series 2004A, 5.050%, 4/20/44 (Alternative Minimum Tax) (WI, settling

   12/16/04)


Industrials - 2.2% (1.5% of Total Investments)

 

945

Yavapai County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Waste

No Opt. Call

BBB

975,552

   Management Inc. Project, Series 2003B, 4.450%, 3/01/28 (Alternative Minimum Tax) (Mandatory put

   3/01/08)


Tax Obligation/General - 26.1% (17.5% of Total Investments)

 

660

Chandler, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/18

7/12 at 100.00

AA+

711,566

 

2,250

DC Ranch Community Facilities District, Scottsdale, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002,

7/13 at 100.00

Aaa

2,338,897

   5.000%, 7/15/27 - AMBAC Insured

 

1,930

Glendale, Arizona, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/19

7/11 at 100.00

AA

2,082,489

 

1,000

Maricopa County Unified School District 11, Peoria, Arizona, General Obligation Refunding Bonds,

No Opt. Call

AAA

1,124,520

   Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/15 - FSA Insured

 

765

Maricopa County Unified School District 69, Paradise Valley, Arizona, General Obligation Refunding

No Opt. Call

AAA

862,430

   Bonds, Second Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/15 - FSA Insured

 

1,000

Maricopa County Unified School District 95, Queen Creek, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series

No Opt. Call

Aaa

1,123,010

   2002, 5.000%, 7/01/14 - FGIC Insured

 

1,575

Maricopa County Union High School District 210, Phoenix, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series

7/14 at 100.00

AAA

1,706,134

   2004A, 5.000%, 7/01/20 - FSA Insured

 

1,150

Scottsdale, Arizona, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/16

No Opt. Call

AAA

1,302,870

 

440

Tucson, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2001B, 5.000%, 7/01/20

7/11 at 100.00

AA

471,214


Tax Obligation/Limited - 41.0% (27.4% of Total Investments)

 

2,000

Arizona School Facilities Board, School Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, 5.250%, 7/01/20

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,212,920

 

3,000

Arizona State Transportation Board, Highway Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.250%, 7/01/18

7/12 at 102.00

AAA

3,339,390

 

1,000

Arizona State Transportation Board, Highway Revenue Bonds, Series 2002B, 5.250%, 7/01/22

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,080,110

 

2,660

Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority, Tax Revenue Bonds, Multipurpose Stadium Facility Project,

7/13 at 100.00

Aaa

2,943,104

   Series 2003A, 5.375%, 7/01/20 - MBIA Insured

 

380

Estrella Mountain Ranch Community Facilities District, Goodyear, Arizona, Special Assessment Lien

7/10 at 102.00

N/R

421,800

   Bonds, Series 2001A, 7.875%, 7/01/25 (DD, settling 11/10/04)

 

800

Goodyear Community Facilities Utility District 1, Arizona, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003,

7/13 at 100.00

A

816,456

   5.350%, 7/15/28 - ACA Insured

 

2,000

Mohave County, Arizona, Certificates of Participation, Series 2004, 5.250%, 7/01/19 - AMBAC

7/14 at 100.00

AAA

2,213,160

   Insured

 

540

Pima County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Charter School Revenue Bonds, Noah Webster

12/14 at 100.00

BBB-

546,696

   Basic Schools Inc., Series 2004, 6.000%, 12/15/24

 

1,250

Pinal County Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Correctional Facilities Contract Revenue

No Opt. Call

A

1,294,587

   Bonds, Florence West Prison LLC, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 10/01/18 - ACA Insured

 

2,770

Tempe, Arizona, Excise Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003, 5.000%, 7/01/22

7/13 at 100.00

AA+

2,940,909

 

565

Tucson Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Charter School Revenue Bonds, Arizona

9/14 at 100.00

BBB-

566,599

   Agribusiness and Equine Center Charter School, Series 2004A, 6.125%, 9/01/34


Transportation - 13.6% (9.1% of Total Investments)

 

Phoenix, Arizona, Civic Improvement Corporation, Senior Lien Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2002B:

1,000

   5.750%, 7/01/16 (Alternative Minimum Tax) - FGIC Insured

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,124,910

2,300

   5.250%, 7/01/21 (Alternative Minimum Tax) - FGIC Insured

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,429,812

 

2,450

Tucson Airport Authority Inc., Arizona, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2001B, 5.000%, 6/01/20

6/11 at 100.00

AAA

2,540,993

   (Alternative Minimum Tax) - AMBAC Insured


U.S. Guaranteed *** - 0.6% (0.4% of Total Investments)

 

230

Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Arizona, Revenue Bonds, Midwestern University, Series

5/08 at 101.00

A-***

256,227

   1998A, 5.375%, 5/15/28 (Pre-refunded to 5/15/08)


Utilities - 6.0% (4.0% of Total Investments)

 

1,250

Maricopa County Pollution Control Corporation, Arizona, Revenue Bonds, Arizona Public Service

11/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,292,563

   Company - Palo Verde Project, Series 2002A, 5.050%, 5/01/29 - AMBAC Insured

 

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Arizona, Electric System Revenue

Bonds, Series 2002B:

360

   5.000%, 1/01/22

1/13 at 100.00

AA

382,413

1,000

   5.000%, 1/01/31

1/13 at 100.00

AA

1,030,710


Water and Sewer - 9.7% (6.5% of Total Investments)

 

650

Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, Water Quality Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, 5.000%,

10/14 at 100.00

AAA

697,547

   10/01/22

 

405

Oro Valley Municipal Property Corporation, Arizona, Senior Lien Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2003,

7/13 at 100.00

AAA

427,870

   5.000%, 7/01/23 - MBIA Insured

 

1,000

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, Arizona, Junior Lien Wastewater System Revenue Refunding

7/11 at 100.00

AAA

1,080,020

   Bonds, Series 2001, 5.125%, 7/01/21 - FGIC Insured

 

2,000

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, Arizona, Junior Lien Water System Revenue Bonds, Series

7/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,165,660

   2002, 5.000%, 7/01/18 - FGIC Insured


$

62,610

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $64,880,113) - 149.4%

66,966,235



Other Assets Less Liabilities - (0.3)%

(130,642)


Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value - (49.1)%

(22,000,000)


Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares - 100%

$44,835,593


  

Forward Swap Transactions outstanding at October 31, 2004:

Swap

Unrealized

Notional

Effective

Termination

Appreciation

Amount

Date(2)

Date

(Depreciation)


Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 4, 2004,

to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by

5.660% (annualized) and receive quarterly the notional

amount multiplied by the three-month USD-LIBOR

(United States Dollar - London Inter-Bank Offered Rates).

$2,000,000

2/16/05

2/16/35

$(144,251)

Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 5, 2004,

to pay quarterly the notional amount multiplied

by 4.337% (annualized) and receive quarterly the

notional amount multiplied by the daily arithmetic average

of the weekly BMA (Bond Market Association) Municipal

Swap Index for the quarter.

2,400,000

12/09/04

12/09/24

(94,714)

Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 10, 2004,

to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by

5.489% (annualized) and receive quarterly the notional

amount multiplied by the three-month USD-LIBOR

(United States Dollar - London Inter-Bank Offered Rates).

500,000

1/14/05

1/14/35

(24,325)


$(263,290)


(1)  

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common

shares unless other wise noted.

(2)  

Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and counterparty commence interest payment

accruals on each forward swap contract.

*  

Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption.

There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates.

**  

Ratings: Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.

***  

Securities are backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government

agency securities which ensures the timely payment of principal and interest. Such securities are normally

considered to be equivalent to AAA rated securities.

N/R  

Investment is not rated.

(DD)  

Security purchased on a delayed delivery basis.

(WI)  

Security purchased on a when-issued basis.

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial

statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing income on

taxable market discount securities and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on security

transactions.

At October 31, 2004, the cost of investments was $64,879.085.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at October 31, 2004,

were as follows:


Gross unrealized:

   Appreciation

$2,205,835

   Depreciation

(118,685)


Net unrealized appreciation of investments

$2,087,150


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  2. There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)         Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3        

By (Signature and Title)*          /s/ Jessica R. Droeger--Vice President and Secretary        

Date         12/28/04        

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman--Chief Administrative Officer (Principal Executive Officer)        

Date         12/28/04        

By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Stephen D. Foy--Vice President and Controller (Principal Financial Officer)        

Date         12/28/04        

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.