<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAR. 31, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          12,849
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  503,517
<ALLOWANCES>                                    23,931
<INVENTORY>                                    597,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,333,597
<PP&E>                                       1,071,221
<DEPRECIATION>                                 548,493
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,732,329
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,076,356
<BONDS>                                        127,393
<COMMON>                                       101,258
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,119,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,732,329
<SALES>                                        857,771
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               857,771
<CGS>                                          520,278
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  520,278
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,393
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,223
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,436
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,602
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,009
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,593
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,593
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23