<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          18,400
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     49,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               144,100
<PP&E>                                         352,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                 163,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 365,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,000
<BONDS>                                         82,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     156,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   365,600
<SALES>                                        113,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,000
<CGS>                                           82,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   82,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70