<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q 
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAR. 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,734
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  667,253
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,559
<INVENTORY>                                    768,192
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,679,292
<PP&E>                                       1,389,736
<DEPRECIATION>                                 686,929
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,193,811
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,311,043
<BONDS>                                        791,673
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       205,360
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,403,867
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,193,811
<SALES>                                      1,104,147
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,104,147
<CGS>                                          649,208
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  649,208
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,796
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,519
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,587
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,642
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,198
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,198
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.15<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.14
        

<FN>
<F1> Represents net income per common share-basic in accordance with SFAS No.
128.