<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 <CASH> 12,800 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 80,600 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 61,300 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 164,600 <PP&E> 435,600 <DEPRECIATION> 202,300 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 416,100 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 101,300 <BONDS> 94,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 173,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 416,100 <SALES> 366,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 366,500 <CGS> 298,100 <TOTAL-COSTS> 298,100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,600 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,700 <INCOME-PRETAX> 34,700 <INCOME-TAX> 10,600 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,200 <EPS-BASIC> 1.38 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.38