<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          28,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     47,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               147,000
<PP&E>                                         341,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 165,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 358,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           85,900
<BONDS>                                         87,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     149,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   358,800
<SALES>                                        355,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               355,800
<CGS>                                          268,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  268,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.85