<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT. 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          18,241
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  707,868
<ALLOWANCES>                                    35,762
<INVENTORY>                                    714,948
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,653,234
<PP&E>                                       1,318,695
<DEPRECIATION>                                 638,330
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,186,506
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,416,792
<BONDS>                                        799,594
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       204,441
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,357,420
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,186,506
<SALES>                                      3,789,669
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,789,669
<CGS>                                        2,165,108
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,165,108
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,251
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                14,626
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,387
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                353,357
<INCOME-TAX>                                   137,809
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            215,548
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   215,548
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24