<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