A method and apparatus for matching the three-dimensional data is disclosed. Three-dimensional data matching method, and the second 3-D converts the two-dimensional a first three-dimensional data representing the surface of a 3D model of the target that represents at least a portion of the three-dimensional surface of the step, the target for generating a first two-dimensional data converts the data two-dimensional second step of generating a two-dimensional data, the first two dimensions to match a second two-dimensional data to the data the first two-dimensional data, a first matching area on, and the second two second on the dimensional data determining a matching area, respectively, comprising the steps of: setting a second plurality of points in the three-dimensional data corresponding to a plurality of points, and a second matching area in the first three-dimensional data corresponding to the first matching area as the initial position, and using the initial position includes the step of matching the first three-dimensional data and a second three-dimensional data.