Fragmotion could be one way. A good and not expensive tool.
moved to "third party tools" cause i dont know a way to solve this with 3dgs itself ( if someone else, ill move again ).
MED and WED can import models in many 3D formats: FBX, 3DS, X, ASE, OBJ, MDL, MD2, ASC, and Milkshape. Additionally, terrain can be imported from heightmap images. Further formats are supported through MEDs own import/export filters and through Milkshape import/export filters that can be directly plugged in MED.
edit: Try to copy the textures into same folder as the 3ds file. Maybe this helps. Hope the animations are ok btw ^^ ...
cheers