We are concerned with the discrete focal boundary value problem Delta(3)x(t - k) = f(x(t)), x(a) = Delta x(t(2)) = Delta(2)x(b + 1) = 0. Under various assumptions on f and the integers a, t(2), and b we prove the existence of three positive solutions of this boundary value problem. To prove our results we use fixed point theorems concerning cones in a Banach space. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.