<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           7,416
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  772,968
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,360
<INVENTORY>                                    676,165
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,700,513
<PP&E>                                       1,475,633
<DEPRECIATION>                                 760,086
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,161,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,349,929
<BONDS>                                        626,806
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       206,172
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,479,922
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,161,400
<SALES>                                      2,511,938
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,511,938
<CGS>                                        1,424,462
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,424,462
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,892)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,652
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                219,986
<INCOME-TAX>                                    83,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            136,391
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   136,391
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80