<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000089800
<NAME> THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           7,406
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  719,019
<ALLOWANCES>                                    30,287
<INVENTORY>                                    751,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,688,123
<PP&E>                                       1,285,114
<DEPRECIATION>                                 628,130
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,219,348
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,526,143
<BONDS>                                        796,233
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       204,019
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,279,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,219,348
<SALES>                                      2,443,138
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,443,138
<CGS>                                        1,401,968
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,401,968
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,466
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                10,057
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,137
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                190,716
<INCOME-TAX>                                    74,379
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            116,337
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   116,337
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67