<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          22,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     54,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               144,200
<PP&E>                                         350,500
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 362,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,500
<BONDS>                                         81,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     163,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   362,300
<SALES>                                        229,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               229,300
<CGS>                                          165,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  165,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,400
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.49