Actually, Lightwave Modeler will import 3DS format.
Sometimes it comes in totally screwed up though.
3D Explorer is a decent converter for 3DS to other formats.
I tend to prefer exporting a 3DS to OBJ format then converting to LW format. OBJ format can hold the 3DS info better than straight to LW, and OBJ format goes to Lightwave easier.
OBJ format sems to be the best over-all *go-between* format
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