We　study　the　one-excitation　dynamics　of　a　coupled　cavity　system　composed　of　three　cavities,　each　containing　a　two-level　atom.　By　adjusting　the　atom-cavity　detuning　Δ,　cavity-cavity　hopping　rate　v　and　the　initial　atomic　excitation　residential,　a　wide　variety　of　time-evolution　behaviors　can　be　realized.　Under　certain　conditions,　the　two-atom　maximally　entangled　states　and　three-atom　W　states　can　be　obtained.　The　results　provide　a　theoretical　basis　for　the　manipulation　of　quantum　states　in　such　a　system　and　will　contribute　to　the　understanding　of　more　complex　systems.　©　2012　World　Scientific　Publishing　Company.