<TABLE> <S> <C>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<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
0
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
</TABLE>