<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