We calculate the third coefficient of the lattice beta-function associ
ated with the Wilson formulation for both gauge fields and fermions, T
his allows us to evaluate the three-loop correction (linear in g(0)(2)
) to the relation between the lattice Lambda parameter and the bare co
upling g(0), which is important in order to verify asymptotic scaling
predictions. Our calculation also leads to the two-loop relation betwe
en the coupling renormalized in the MS scheme and g(0). (C) 1998 Elsev
ier Science B.V.