<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 OF P. H.
GLATFELTER CO. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          48,232
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,446
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,594
<INVENTORY>                                    112,679
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               242,999
<PP&E>                                       1,277,923
<DEPRECIATION>                                 668,651
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 973,083
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,599
<BONDS>                                        312,713
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              544
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     344,254
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   973,083
<SALES>                                        165,846
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               169,374
<CGS>                                          138,163
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    62
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,790
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,912
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,772
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,140
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,140
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.19