<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