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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 23, 2000
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                          THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
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               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


      Ohio                      1-4851                    34-0526850
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 (State or other          (Commission File     (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 jurisdiction of              Number)
 incorporation)


                101 Prospect Avenue, N.W., Cleveland, Ohio 44115
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (216) 566-2000
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Item 5:      Other Events.
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         On March 23, 2000, The Sherwin-Williams Company issued a press release
regarding expected sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2000. The press
release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by
reference.


Item 7:      Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
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(c)      Exhibits

         Exhibit No.       Exhibit Description
         -----------       -------------------

         99                Press Release of Sherwin-Williams dated
                           March 23, 2000.


                                   SIGNATURES
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         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                             THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY


March 27, 2000                               By: /s/ L. E. STELLATO
                                                --------------------
                                                 L.E. Stellato
                                                 Vice President, General Counsel
                                                 and Secretary


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
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   EXHIBIT NO.    EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
   -----------    -------------------


         99       Press Release of Sherwin-Williams dated March 23, 2000.



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