<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          12,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     61,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               164,600
<PP&E>                                         435,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 202,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 416,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,300
<BONDS>                                         94,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   416,100
<SALES>                                        366,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               366,500
<CGS>                                          298,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  298,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,200
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.38