Seems that if a person is fairly strong in two disciplines and a beginner in the third, shouldn't they put more emphasis on the third for bigger potential gains?

so long as the other two disciplines dont get neglected, that is the concept of trainning. I am a better runner and cyclist(although a little weak on the pedals) than a swimmer so I know I need to train harder in the water(I just dont like to).

I hope so! It's what I've been doing. I've strong cycling, fair run and absolute newbie swim - I can get more time improving my swim than anywhere else.

The only problem is, swim training, because I'm new and weak, is tough, mentally and physically. It's a lot more fun to go for a 6am run or a nice summer evening bike ride than to go backinto that... damn... pool... for MORE drill. Takes mental strength to train your weak bits.

(Can you tell I'm putting it off?)

Sure; train your weaknesses, race your strengths.

Thanks.

I am by far Runner then Cyclist and the Swimmer

And really I have left my running training equivalent to what it was before biking and swimming. Mostly because I know that I will make fairly good leaps just swimming in general 3-4 times a week, and still running 40-55 miles a week. I know if I swam 2 more times a week it would get sloppy and I would probably cut back my running. Therefore my swim wouldn't gain as much to the work input and I may not be able to reel people in like I do on the run.

On the otherhand, I have been bumping up the biking because I realize that most of the extra time spent on the bike is good time that is returning good increases.

What I am trying to say is that don't just workout to workout, as I have called them "junk miles". If you can only get so many good workouts in of a certain discipline don't force it to the neglect of your current strong points; this would be swimming for me. However, if you're ready to step up a discipline to the next level to match your best then a little cut back isn't bad; this would be cycling for me.

Just my theory, not for everyone