<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Second
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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                            606
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1831
<ALLOWANCES>                                      116
<INVENTORY>                                      1224
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4138 
<PP&E>                                           5367
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3024
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8072
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3259
<BONDS>                                          1152
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                           83
<OTHER-SE>                                       1812
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8072
<SALES>                                          5049 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5049
<CGS>                                            3831
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4703 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   19
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (127)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   281
<INCOME-TAX>                                      105
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               149
<DISCONTINUED>                                     15 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                      164
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    2.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    2.14