<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     69,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               152,000
<PP&E>                                         432,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                 170,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 448,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          118,300
<BONDS>                                        102,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     182,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   448,700
<SALES>                                        134,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               134,300
<CGS>                                          103,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  103,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,500
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .61