<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           6,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,900
<INVENTORY>                                     69,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               156,300
<PP&E>                                         479,300
<DEPRECIATION>                                 196,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 474,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,500
<BONDS>                                        108,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     195,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   474,700
<SALES>                                        546,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               546,700
<CGS>                                          440,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  440,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                47,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   500
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.92