<ARTICLE>                                     5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                              1,000

                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                  JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                    2,353
<SECURITIES>                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                           231,574
<ALLOWANCES>                              7,982
<INVENTORY>                             236,568
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        491,891
<PP&E>                                  757,194
<DEPRECIATION>                          353,736
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        1,139,313
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   157,515
<BONDS>                                 487,890
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                   0
<COMMON>                                     33
<OTHER-SE>                              317,847
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          1,139,313
<SALES>                                 428,741
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        428,741
<CGS>                                   256,156
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           373,685
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          1,832
<LOSS-PROVISION>                           (786)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       20,729
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          33,281
<INCOME-TAX>                             14,311
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      19,412
<DISCONTINUED>                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                             19,412
<EPS-BASIC>                              0.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                              0.64