How to merge and sum two data frames

A solution with base R:

# create a new variable from the rownames
df1$rn <- rownames(df1)
df2$rn <- rownames(df2)

# bind the two dataframes together by row and aggregate
res <- aggregate(cbind(x,y,z) ~ rn, rbind(df1,df2), sum)
# or (thx to @alistaire for reminding me):
res <- aggregate(. ~ rn, rbind(df1,df2), sum)

# assign the rownames again
rownames(res) <- res$rn

# get rid of the 'rn' column
res <- res[, -1]

which gives:

> res
  x  y  z
A 1  2  3
B 2  3  4
C 4  6  8
D 6  8 10
E 8 10 12
F 4  5  6
G 5  6  7