<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          19,133
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  629,909
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,393
<INVENTORY>                                    682,523
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,547,290
<PP&E>                                       1,440,244
<DEPRECIATION>                                 721,387
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,065,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,111,973
<BONDS>                                        730,283
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       205,701
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,510,239
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,065,462
<SALES>                                      4,934,430
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,934,430
<CGS>                                        2,804,459
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,804,459
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,046
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,176
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              71,971
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                440,103
<INCOME-TAX>                                   167,239
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            272,864
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   272,864
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.58<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.57<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>