<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0000089800
<NAME> THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                           1,726
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  797,015
<ALLOWANCES>                                    29,230
<INVENTORY>                                    719,617
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,831,152
<PP&E>                                       1,516,141
<DEPRECIATION>                                 779,697
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,361,316
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,427,633
<BONDS>                                        621,094
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       206,487
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,571,916
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,361,316
<SALES>                                      2,651,183
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,651,183
<CGS>                                        1,493,465
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,493,465
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,515
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,216
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,542
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                252,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                    96,084
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            156,766
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   156,766
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.96