  We present a general derivation the three-body spectator (Gross) equations
and the corresponding electromagnetic currents. As in previous paper on
two-body systems, the wave equations and currents are derived from those for
Bethe-Salpeter equation with the help of algebraic method using a concise
matrix notation. The three-body interactions and currents introduced by the
transition to the spectator approach are isolated and the matrix elements of
the e.m. current are presented in detail for system of three indistinguishable
particles, namely for elastic scattering and for two and three body break-up.
The general expressions are reduced to the one-boson-exchange approximation to
make contact with previous work. The method is general in that it does not rely
on introduction of the electromagnetic interaction with the help of the minimal
replacement. It would therefore work also for other external fields.
