<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT. 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           5,013
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  765,526
<ALLOWANCES>                                    29,897
<INVENTORY>                                    649,091
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,665,894
<PP&E>                                       1,487,639
<DEPRECIATION>                                 777,633
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,106,695
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,309,192
<BONDS>                                        624,471
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       206,212
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,477,738
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,106,695
<SALES>                                      3,857,421
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,857,421
<CGS>                                        2,160,111
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,160,111
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,330
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                13,976
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                399,796
<INCOME-TAX>                                   151,923
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            247,873
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   247,873
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46