<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,530
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  573,205
<ALLOWANCES>                                    26,891
<INVENTORY>                                    721,668
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,532,253
<PP&E>                                       1,357,844
<DEPRECIATION>                                 665,586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,035,801
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,115,663
<BONDS>                                        843,919
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       204,538
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,387,642
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,035,801
<SALES>                                      4,881,103
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,881,103
<CGS>                                        2,784,392
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,784,392
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,365
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,741
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              80,837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                427,277
<INCOME-TAX>                                   166,663
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            260,614
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   260,614
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.51<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.50
        


<FN>
<F1>Represents net income per common share - basic 
    (see Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements).