<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
First Quarter 10Q 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                            618
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1662
<ALLOWANCES>                                      102
<INVENTORY>                                      1174
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3937 
<PP&E>                                           5317
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2947
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3130
<BONDS>                                          1151
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                           82
<OTHER-SE>                                       1746
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7893
<SALES>                                          2464 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2464
<CGS>                                            1870         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2286 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    9
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (63)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   146
<INCOME-TAX>                                       56
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                68
<DISCONTINUED>                                     12 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                       80
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.05