<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAR. 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000089800
<NAME> THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                           3,633
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  735,564
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,358
<INVENTORY>                                    731,952
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,732,544
<PP&E>                                       1,486,153
<DEPRECIATION>                                 760,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,209,541
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,354,408
<BONDS>                                        624,234
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       206,393
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,486,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,209,541
<SALES>                                      1,221,916
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,221,916
<CGS>                                          705,672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  705,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   480
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,131
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,877
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 66,005
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,082
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,923
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,923
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25