<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          20,754
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  754,347
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,497
<INVENTORY>                                    723,448
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,739,997
<PP&E>                                       1,419,806
<DEPRECIATION>                                 704,975
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,260,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,341,125
<BONDS>                                        783,132
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       205,477
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,452,035
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,260,380
<SALES>                                      2,481,932
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,481,932
<CGS>                                        1,427,528
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,427,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,053
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 7,596
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,015
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                201,045
<INCOME-TAX>                                    76,397
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            124,648
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   124,648
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.72<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.71<F2>
        
<FN>
<F1> Represents net income per common share - basic in accordance with
     SFAS No. 128.
<F2> Represents net income per common share - diluted in accordance with
     SFAS No. 128.
</FN>