  A precise study within variational approach of the basic properties of the
three-particle spectrum and structure functions with Gaussian potential near
the critical coupling constant of interaction where the Efimov effect takes
place is carried out. A method is developed to calculate highly excited states
with very small binding energies, and numerical analysis is carried out for the
ground and three excited energy states. For these states, one-particle density
distributions, formfactors, pair correlation functions, and momentum
distributions are calculated. It is found that the second excited state has
already all the basic features of a level from the infinite Efimov series. An
essential asymmetry is found in the position of energy levels with respect to
the critical constant point. A halo-type structure is revealed in the
one-particle density distributions, and formfactors are shown to have specific
dips of finite depth, the number of dips being equal to the number of the
state. The behaviour of pair correlation functions and momentum distributions
is studied for three-particle states.
