<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000089800
<NAME> THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           3,371
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  736,096
<ALLOWANCES>                                    30,672
<INVENTORY>                                    688,623
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,663,059
<PP&E>                                       1,407,356
<DEPRECIATION>                                 688,673
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,191,514
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,223,124
<BONDS>                                        783,103
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       205,634
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,508,103
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,191,514
<SALES>                                      3,823,363
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,823,363
<CGS>                                        2,181,057
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,181,057
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,674
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,568
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,291
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                363,543
<INCOME-TAX>                                   138,147
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            225,396
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   225,396
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.31<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29<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>