<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> EXHIBIT 27 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 14,800 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 70,600 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 51,200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 143,800 <PP&E> 333,300 <DEPRECIATION> 162,500 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 352,600 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 88,100 <BONDS> 87,800 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 142,500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 352,600 <SALES> 237,300 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 237,300 <CGS> 178,700 <TOTAL-COSTS> 178,700 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,700 <INCOME-PRETAX> 35,200 <INCOME-TAX> 13,200 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,900 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 19,900 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.24 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.24