Let $X$ be a smooth projective curve of genus $ggeq 2$ over the complex numbers. A holomorphic triple $(E_1,E_2,phi)$ on $X$ consists of two holomorphic vector bundles $E_1$ and $E_2$ over $X$ and a holomorphic map $phi:E_2 to E_1$. There is a concept of stability for triples which depends on a real parameter $sigma$. In this paper, we determine the Hodge polynomials of the moduli spaces of $sigma$-stable triples with $rk(E_1)=3$, $rk(E_2)=1$, using the theory of mixed Hodge structures. This gives in particular the Poincare polynomials of these moduli spaces. As a byproduct, we recover the Hodge polynomial of the moduli space of odd degree rank 3 stable vector bundles.