<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT. 30 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,194
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  612,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,978
<INVENTORY>                                    580,516
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,394,046
<PP&E>                                       1,154,790
<DEPRECIATION>                                 601,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,942,064
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,126,633
<BONDS>                                        137,641
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       101,508     
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,266,188
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,942,064
<SALES>                                      3,174,035
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,174,035
<CGS>                                        1,874,324
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,874,324
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,629
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                13,980
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                311,549
<INCOME-TAX>                                   121,504
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            190,045
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   190,045
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.20