<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