<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