<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 15,100 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 72,100 <ALLOWANCES> 1,900 <INVENTORY> 62,900 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 159,200 <PP&E> 451,900 <DEPRECIATION> 199,800 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 436,600 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 107,400 <BONDS> 100,900 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 182,600 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 436,600 <SALES> 504,400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 504,400 <CGS> 394,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 394,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 45,800 <LOSS-PROVISION> 700 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,800 <INCOME-PRETAX> 60,700 <INCOME-TAX> 23,700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 31,400 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 31,400 <EPS-BASIC> 1.99 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.99