<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
First Quarter 10-Q for Whirlpool Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                            152 
<SECURITIES>                                        0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                   2,398
<ALLOWANCES>                                       57 
<INVENTORY>                                     1,044 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                3,850       
<PP&E>                                          3,737      
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,027    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  7,874      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           3,980    
<BONDS>                                           881  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                           81 
<OTHER-SE>                                      1,831       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    7,874         
<SALES>                                         1,990          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                2,038          
<CGS>                                           1,536          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,948          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    8       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 36       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    42       
<INCOME-TAX>                                       20      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                46      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                       46 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .62 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .62