<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 <CASH> 1,726 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 797,015 <ALLOWANCES> 29,230 <INVENTORY> 719,617 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,831,152 <PP&E> 1,516,141 <DEPRECIATION> 779,697 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,361,316 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,427,633 <BONDS> 621,094 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 206,487 <OTHER-SE> 1,571,916 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,361,316 <SALES> 2,651,183 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,651,183 <CGS> 1,493,465 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,493,465 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,515 <LOSS-PROVISION> 12,216 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,542 <INCOME-PRETAX> 252,850 <INCOME-TAX> 96,084 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 156,766 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 156,766 <EPS-BASIC> 0.96 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.96