<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 9,300 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 69,900 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 64,200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 154,300 <PP&E> 443,700 <DEPRECIATION> 200,100 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 420,200 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,100 <BONDS> 98,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 180,400 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 420,200 <SALES> 118,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 118,000 <CGS> 96,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 96,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 10,600 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,500 <INCOME-TAX> 3,900 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,800 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,800 <EPS-BASIC> .44 <EPS-DILUTED> .44