<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 6,600 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 73,800 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 65,600 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 154,400 <PP&E> 448,800 <DEPRECIATION> 191,900 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 443,300 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 112,800 <BONDS> 103,600 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 178,900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 443,300 <SALES> 128,600 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 128,600 <CGS> 99,200 <TOTAL-COSTS> 99,200 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,400 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,500 <INCOME-TAX> 6,800 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,100 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,100 <EPS-PRIMARY> .57 <EPS-DILUTED> .57