<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           3,503
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  679,764
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,334
<INVENTORY>                                    684,389
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,615,124
<PP&E>                                       1,444,533
<DEPRECIATION>                                 737,790
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,057,116
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,337,171
<BONDS>                                        629,124
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       206,030
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,387,911
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,057,116
<SALES>                                      1,127,867
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,127,867
<CGS>                                          650,781
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  650,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,949
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,518
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,446
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,649
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,797
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,797
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.17<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17<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>