diff --git a/README b/README
index 4995ba1768..5e18a21a0d 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-BIND 9.0.0 alpha 1
+BIND 9.0.0 alpha 3
 
 
 Status
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ of the highlights are:
 
 With the exception of the DNSSEC validator, all the major new
 functionality is done.  We expect to finish the DNSSEC validator by
-Dec. 1.
+the end of December.
 
 This release is alpha quality.  There are still a number of unfinished
 areas, for example: most config file options, sanity checking,
diff --git a/version b/version
index 60419b1e23..9c629830c2 100644
--- a/version
+++ b/version
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@ MAJORVER =	9
 MINORVER =	0
 PATCHVER =	0
 RELEASETYPE =	a
-RELEASEVER =	2
+RELEASEVER =	3
 
 VERSION =	${MAJORVER}.${MINORVER}.${PATCHVER}${RELEASETYPE}${RELEASEVER}