<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