<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          58,203
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  625,344
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,498
<INVENTORY>                                    755,192
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,650,303
<PP&E>                                       1,245,657
<DEPRECIATION>                                 604,007
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,161,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,522,376
<BONDS>                                        795,673
<COMMON>                                       203,825
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,197,942
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,161,157
<SALES>                                      1,069,787
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,069,787
<CGS>                                          626,173
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  626,173
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (25)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,382
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,798
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,925
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,791
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,134
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,134
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13