<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,400
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,300
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     74,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               161,500
<PP&E>                                         468,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                 189,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 477,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          123,500
<BONDS>                                        108,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     196,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   477,500
<SALES>                                        412,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               412,700
<CGS>                                          327,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  327,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,100
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79