<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 <CASH> 5,600 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 78,500 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 62,800 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 155,100 <PP&E> 458,500 <DEPRECIATION> 200,700 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 440,100 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 111,100 <BONDS> 104,700 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,600 <OTHER-SE> 180,900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 440,100 <SALES> 373,800 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 373,800 <CGS> 292,500 <TOTAL-COSTS> 292,500 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 33,500 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,300 <INCOME-PRETAX> 45,400 <INCOME-TAX> 17,500 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 23,800 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 23,800 <EPS-BASIC> 1.50 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.50