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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

PRESS RELEASE                 CONTACT:  BILL FOUST                  PAUL ROBERTS
                                        770-569-4203                770-569-4277


               SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT EXPECTS FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
                          TO BE $.55 TO $.60 PER SHARE


Alpharetta, GA, March 30, 1998.  Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (NYSE:
SWM) today announced that it anticipates diluted earnings per share for the
first quarter of 1998 to be in the range of $.55 to $.60 per share.  First
quarter earnings in 1997 were $.69 per share.  The company said that, excluding
the unfavorable impact of new computer systems expenses in the United States
and an increase in corporate income tax rates in France, first quarter net
income would be approximately at the prior year level.  Strong pre-tax earnings
growth in France is expected to approximately offset a decline in earnings from
the United States business unit, exclusive of the new computer systems expenses.

Wayne H. Deitrich, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, said that
"as previously announced, our earnings in 1998 are being unfavorably impacted
by expenses related to new computer systems in the United States and by higher
corporate income tax rates in France.  Increased expenses associated with the
amortization of deferred software costs, increased operating costs for the new
computer systems, and systems start-up expenses will have an estimated negative
impact of $.08 per share in the first quarter.  The higher tax rates in France
are expected to lower earnings by approximately $.05 per share in the quarter.
Our business outside the United States continues to be strong.  Our French
operations are expected to achieve pre-tax earnings growth of approximately 15
percent for the quarter because of increased unit sales. However, the weakness
experienced in the U.S. market during 1997 has continued into 1998, which will
roughly offset the pre-tax gains of our French operations. Sales volumes in the
U.S. business unit are expected to be 8 to 10 percent lower than in the
comparable prior year quarter. Earnings from acquisitions completed in Brazil
and France in February 1998 are expected to be approximately offset by higher
interest expense related to the acquisitions. The outlook for the balance of
1998 will be dependent upon recovery of the U.S. business, which is uncertain
at this time, and the continuing strength of our French operations."

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. is a diversified producer of premium
specialty papers and the world's largest supplier of fine papers to the tobacco
industry.  It also manufactures specialty papers for use in alkaline batteries,
vacuum cleaner bags, business forms, and printing and packaging applications.
Schweitzer-Mauduit and its subsidiaries conduct business in over 80 countries
and employ 3,550 people worldwide, with operations in the United States,
France, Brazil and Canada.

Certain comments contained in this news release concerning the business outlook
and anticipated financial and operating results of the Company constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the safe harbor created by
that Act. The forward-looking statements are based upon management's
expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company.  There
can be no assurances that such events will occur or that the Company's results
will be as estimated. Many factors outside the control of the Company also
could impact the realization of such estimates. Such factors are discussed in
more detail in the Company's SEC reports, including the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

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