<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31 OF
P.H. GLATFELTER CO. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          50,907
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,608
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,532
<INVENTORY>                                    117,852
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               241,908
<PP&E>                                       1,285,737
<DEPRECIATION>                                 657,581
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 990,738
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          126,876
<BONDS>                                        325,381
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           544
<OTHER-SE>                                     343,385
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   990,738
<SALES>                                        705,078
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               717,705
<CGS>                                          575,351
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  627,150
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,816
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    90
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,007
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,732
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,133
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,133
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.86