<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT. 30, 1995 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> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 211,308 <SECURITIES> 5,000 <RECEIVABLES> 431,220 <ALLOWANCES> 14,002 <INVENTORY> 465,513 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,282,924 <PP&E> 964,313 <DEPRECIATION> 521,723 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,109,531 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 618,121 <BONDS> 22,711 <COMMON> 100,933 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,077,803 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,109,531 <SALES> 2,532,912 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,532,912 <CGS> 1,461,908 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,461,908 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,274 <LOSS-PROVISION> 7,822 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,821 <INCOME-PRETAX> 264,902 <INCOME-TAX> 98,014 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 166,888 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 166,888 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.95 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.95