<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 30,600 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 62,400 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 59,100 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 158,900 <PP&E> 357,000 <DEPRECIATION> 166,900 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 378,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 85,800 <BONDS> 81,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 171,600 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 378,900 <SALES> 342,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 342,700 <CGS> 248,100 <TOTAL-COSTS> 248,100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 30,100 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 62,600 <INCOME-TAX> 23,200 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 35,200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 35,200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.19