<ARTICLE>       5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 OF WAUSAU PAPER MILLS AND IS QUALIFIED 
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>    1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,372
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,818
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,004
<INVENTORY>                                     70,443
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               119,240
<PP&E>                                         495,519
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,983
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 467,028
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,053
<BONDS>                                         53,119
<COMMON>                                       139,155
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,556
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   467,028
<SALES>                                        542,669
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               542,669
<CGS>                                          443,383
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  443,383
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,786
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 66,829
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,229
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,229
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12