<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