SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------------
                                       FORM 8-K

                                    CURRENT REPORT

                           Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                               Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2004
                                                         (January 28, 2004)

                              Arch Coal, Inc.
                              ----------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Delaware                                1-13105                    43-0921172
------------------------        ---------------------------         ----------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation)                                        Identification No.)


                One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141
                ---------------------------------------------------------
                (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip code)


         Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314) 994-2700











                            Page 1 of 5 pages.
                     Exhibit Index begins on page 5.





Item 7 Financial Statements, ProForma Financial Information and Exhibits.

         See the Exhibit Index at page 5 of this Report.

Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

Item 12.  Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The information in this Report is being furnished under Item 9, "Regulation FD
Disclosure" and Item 12, "Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition."

     On January 28, 2004, Arch Coal, Inc. (the  "Company"),  announced via press
release its earnings and  operating  results for the fourth  quarter of 2003 and
for the 2003 calendar  year. A copy of the  Company's  press release is attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

         The Company is also providing the following reconciliation of Adjusted
EBITDA for its Arch Western Resources, LLC subsidiary:




Arch Western Resources, LLC                                       Three Months Ended                  Year Ended
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA                      December 31                     December 31
                                                                -----------------------      -----------------------------
                                                                   2003        2002             2003            2002
                                                                ----------- -----------      ------------   --------------
                                                                                   (Amounts in 000's)
                                                                                                  

     Net income                                                  $    680    $ 19,376        $    2,718      $   19,909
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                             -           -            18,278               -
     Interest expense, net                                          8,562       6,890            30,043          29,915
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization - Arch Western
         Resources                                                 16,190      14,104            63,054          69,388
     DD&A - Equity interest in Canyon Fuel Company, LLC             4,807       5,758            21,425          24,881
     Other nonoperating expense                                     3,388           -            11,671               -
                                                                ----------- -----------      ------------   --------------

     Adjusted EBITDA                                             $ 33,627    $ 46,128         $ 147,189      $  144,093
                                                                =========== ===========      ============   ==============


Reconciliation of net income to income before other nonoperating
  expense and cumulative effect of accounting change

     Net income                                                  $    680    $ 19,376         $   2,718      $   19,909
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                            -            -            18,278               -
     Other nonoperating expense                                     3,388           -            11,671               -
                                                                ----------- -----------      ------------   --------------

     Income before other nonoperating expense and cumulative
effect of accounting change                                      $ 4,068     $ 19,376         $  32,667      $   19,909
                                                                =========== ===========      ============   ==============





                               Page 2 of 5 pages.
                         Exhibit Index begins on page 5



Note:Adjusted  EBITDA is defined as net income before the effect of net interest
     expense;  income taxes; our depreciation,  depletion and amortization;  our
     equity interest in the  depreciation,  depletion and amortization of Canyon
     Fuel Company,  LLC; cumulative effect of accounting  changes;  and expenses
     resulting from early extinguishment of debt; and mark-to market adjustments
     in the value of derivative instruments.


Adjusted  EBITDA is not a measure of financial  performance  in accordance  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and items  excluded  to  calculate
Adjusted  EBITDA are  significant in  understanding  and assessing our financial
condition.  Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation nor
as an  alternative  to net  income,  income  from  operations,  cash  flows from
operations or as a measure of our profitability,  liquidity or performance under
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  We believe  that  Adjusted  EBITDA
presents  a useful  measure of our  ability  to service  and incur debt based on
ongoing  operations.  Furthermore,  analogous  measures  are  used  by  industry
analysts to evaluate operating  performance.  Investors should be aware that our
presentation  of  Adjusted  EBITDA may not be  comparable  to  similarly  titled
measures used by other companies.

In accordance with General  Instruction B.6 of Form 8-K, the information in this
Current  Report on Form 8-K,  including  Exhibit 99, shall not be deemed "filed"
for the  purposes  of  Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section,  nor shall it be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
a filing.


















                                 Page 3 of 5 pages.
                          Exhibit Index begins on page 5




                                    SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  January 29, 2004               ARCH COAL, INC.



                                       By:    /s/ Janet L.  Horgan
                                                Janet L.Horgan
                                                Assistant General Counsel and
                                                  Assistant Secretary



























                              Page 4 of 5 pages.
                        Exhibit Index begins on page 5.







                               EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.                 Description
99                         Press Release dated as of January 29, 2004


































                              Page 5 of 5 pages.





                                                                      Exhibit 99
News from
Arch Coal, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   Deck S. Slone
                                                                 Vice President,
                                                   Investor and Public Relations
                                                                  (314) 994-2717

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                January 28, 2004

Arch Coal, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Highlights:

o        Income available to common shareholders of $22.1 million, or $.40 per
         fully diluted share, vs. net income of $1.1 million, or $.02 per fully
         diluted share, in 4Q02
o        Adjusted EBITDA of $75.9 million, vs. $57.9 million in 4Q02
o        Revenues from coal sales of $374.9 million, vs. $369.7 million in 4Q02
o        Income from operations of $30.7 million, vs. $8.2 million in 4Q02
o        Coal sales volumes of 27.0 million tons, vs. 28.4 million tons in 4Q02
o        Total cash on hand of $254.5 million, vs. $9.6 million at Dec. 31, 2002

     St. Louis - Arch Coal, Inc.  (NYSE:ACI)  today announced that it had income
available to common  shareholders  of $22.1  million,  or $.40 per fully diluted
share,  for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003.  Excluding a net gain of
$20.0 million,  which  includes the partial sale of the company's  investment in
Natural  Resource  Partners  offset in part by a charge  related to a  long-term
incentive compensation plan, Arch had income available to common shareholders of
$2.2 million, or $.04 per fully diluted share. In the same quarter of 2002, Arch
had net income of $1.1 million, or $.02 per fully diluted share.

     "Arch  Coal made good  progress  on a number of fronts  during  the  fourth
quarter,"  said  Steven F.  Leer,  Arch  Coal's  president  and chief  executive
officer.  "We increased  our cash balance to more than $250 million  through the
monetization  of a  percentage  of our stake in Natural  Resource  Partners.  We
signed contracts in a rising coal market  environment for much of our previously
unsold  tonnage  for 2004,  as well as  committing  nearly 20  million  tons for
delivery in 2005 and 2006.  And we reduced  the average  mining cost per ton for
the corporation as a whole,  although eastern costs were up modestly compared to
the previous  quarter due to a 5%  reduction in produced  volumes in that region
related to routine  variations  in mining  rates at several  operations."  (Arch
expects a return to normal mining rates for the first quarter of 2004.)

     For the year ended December 31, 2003, Arch Coal had a net loss available to
common shareholders of $9.0 million, or $.17 per fully diluted share,  excluding
a total of $19.0 million,  or $.36 per fully diluted share,  related to the full
year  impact of the  items  discussed  above.  That  compares  to a loss of $2.6
million,  or $.05 per fully diluted share, during the same period of 2002. Total
coal sales for the year were  $1,435.5  million and coal sales  volumes  totaled
100.6  million  tons,  vs.  $1,473.6  million  and  106.7  million  tons  in the
comparable  period of 2002.  Adjusted  EBITDA  totaled  $220.3  million in 2003,
compared to $228.9 million in 2002.

U.S. coal markets

     In  recent   months,   U.S.  coal  markets  have   strengthened   markedly,
particularly  in the eastern  United  States  where cold  weather  has  recently
emerged as a key driver for coal consumption after a slow start to winter.

     Even without the cold,  demand for coal-fired power was already on the rise
- the  result  of a  strengthening  U.S.  economy  in  general  and an uptick in
industrial activity in particular.  Through September 30, 2003, coal consumption
for electric  generation  was up an estimated 3%,  according to the U.S.  Energy
Information  Administration.  "The resurgence in U.S.  manufacturing is boosting
demand for baseload power, and that means coal," Leer said.

     As a result,  utility  stockpiles  have  dipped into the lower end of their
five-year  average  range,  according to recent  estimates.  Arch estimates that
stockpiles  declined to  approximately  123 million tons at the end of December,
16% lower than last year.  "In the near future,  we expect  activity in both the
spot and  contract  markets  to  accelerate  as power  generators  re-enter  the
market," Leer said.

     In fact, the  expectation of that  development  may already be pushing coal
prices  higher.  The current  spot price for eastern coal is  approximately  40%
higher than at the same time last year,  according to Coal Daily's most recently
published  pricing  indices.  Spot  prices  for  Powder  River  Basin  coal have
increased approximately 10% over the same time period, according to Coal Daily.

Contract activity

     Arch signed a number of new  commitments  in the rising market  environment
that prevailed during the quarter.  At present,  Arch has signed commitments for
nearly 95% of its expected 2004  production.  On those already  committed  tons,
Arch expects average realizations for the full year to increase by approximately
8% compared  to 2003  levels.  (Average  realizations  are  expected to increase
gradually  throughout  the  year due to  differences  in the  timing  of the new
commitments.)

     Arch also signed  commitments  since October for  approximately  10 million
tons to be delivered in 2005. At present,  Arch has priced  approximately 65% of
its expected 2005 production and 50% of its expected 2006  production.  Arch has
also signed contracts for approximately 700,000 tons of metallurgical coal to be
delivered during 2004 and 2005.

     "We are  pleased  with our  recent  contract  activity,  and we regard  our
sizable  open  positions  in 2005  and 2006 as  highly  advantageous  given  our
expectations for U.S. coal demand and pricing in the near to intermediate term,"
Leer said.






Operating statistics



Fourth Quarter 2003 Regional Analysis:
                                                                                   



                                    Eastern Operations           Western Operations           Total
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------
Tons sold (in mm)                         7.5                         19.5                     27.0
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------
Sales price per ton                    $31.05                        $7.28                    $13.87
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------
Cost per ton                           $32.03                        $6.43                    $13.55
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------
Margin per ton                       $   (.98)                      $  .85                    $  .32
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------

Note: Western operations data do not include the results of 65%-owned Canyon Fuel Company, which is accounted for on the
equity method.

Capital Spending and DD&A (in millions):

                                          FY 2003                      FY 2002                  FY 2004 (proj.)
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Capital spending                          $147.9                       $158.9                     $160
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
DD&A                                      $179.9                       $199.6                     $180
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------


     Note: Data on capital spending and depreciation, depletion and amortization
include Arch's ownership  percentage in Canyon Fuel Company.  Projected  capital
spending  and  DD&A  do  not  include  Triton  Coal  Company,   other  potential
acquisitions or reserve additions.

Natural Resource Partners

     During  the  quarter,  Arch  strengthened  its  balance  sheet and  greatly
increased its liquidity through the previously announced sale of its 4.8 million
subordinated units,  general partner interest and incentive  distribution rights
in Natural Resource Partners for a purchase price of $115 million.  The sale was
part of a  long-term  effort to  monetize  the value of  certain  non-strategic,
fee-based  royalty  properties  previously  undervalued on the company's balance
sheet.

     "The  sale  of  the  NRP  units  provides  us  with  tremendous   financial
flexibility  as we  continue  to  prepare  for the  acquisition  of Triton  Coal
Company," Leer said. "Our balance sheet is the strongest it has been since 1998,
when we purchased Arco Coal Company.  With our large cash balance, net debt as a
percent of total capitalization  currently stands at 40% -- down from 83% at the
beginning of 2000."

     Arch  continues  to hold 2.9  million  common  units of NRP,  which  have a
current  market value of $118  million at close of market at Jan. 27, 2004.  The
Triton  acquisition  is  currently   undergoing  review  by  the  Federal  Trade
Commission.





Award-winning reclamation and safety practices

     Arch  received  a number of  prestigious  honors  for its  industry-leading
safety and  reclamation  practices  during 2003. For the third year in a row, an
Arch Coal subsidiary - Arch of West Virginia - claimed the Greenlands  Award for
best  mine  reclamation  in the  state  of West  Virginia.  In  addition,  Ducks
Unlimited  awarded Catenary Coal with the 2003 West Virginia  Wetlands Award for
its  outstanding  accomplishments  in the creation and  preservation of wetlands
habitat.

     Moreover,  two Arch  subsidiaries  - Hobet  Mining  and  Coal-Mac,  Inc.  -
received  Mountaineer  Guardian  awards  "for their  determined  and  successful
efforts in producing  energy from within a safe working  environment."  Overall,
Arch reduced its total incident rate by 14% during 2003.

     "We regard excellence in safety and  environmental  performance as defining
characteristics  of our  organization,  and the foundation upon which our future
success will be built," Leer said.

Looking ahead

     "The outlook for U.S. coal markets is strong," Leer said. "We believe there
is great potential for increased  profitability  in the future,  driven in large
part by the ongoing expiration of older, lower-priced contracts."

     During  2004,  Arch will begin to benefit  from the  replacement  of legacy
contracts  with  new  commitments  signed  in the  current  market  environment,
according to Leer.  Arch currently  expects  profits of between $.08 and $.12 in
the  first  quarter,  excluding  charges  related  to the  termination  of hedge
accounting for interest rate swaps.  (Note:  First quarter  projections  include
approximately  $1.5  million  in  severance  costs  related  to  the  previously
announced  closure of Canyon Fuel  Company's  Skyline mine in Utah.) The company
expects stronger results in subsequent quarters.

     A conference call concerning  fourth quarter  earnings will be webcast live
today at 11 a.m. Eastern. The conference call can be accessed via the "investor"
section of the Arch Coal Web site (www.archcoal.com).

     During the fourth  quarter,  the  conditions  necessary for the  conversion
option in Arch's cumulative  convertible  preferred stock to become  exercisable
were met.  As a result,  beginning  with the fourth  quarter,  the impact of the
preferred shares must be considered in the calculation of fully diluted weighted
average shares outstanding.

     Arch Coal is the nation's  second  largest coal producer,  with  subsidiary
operations in West Virginia,  Kentucky,  Virginia,  Wyoming,  Colorado and Utah.
Through these  operations,  Arch Coal provides the fuel for  approximately 6% of
the electricity generated in the United States.







     Forward-Looking Statements:  Statements in this press release which are not
statements of historical fact are  forward-looking  statements  within the "safe
harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking  statements are based on information currently available to, and
expectations and assumptions  deemed  reasonable by, the company.  Because these
forward-looking  statements  are  subject  to various  risks and  uncertainties,
actual results may differ  materially  from those  projected in the  statements.
These  expectations,   assumptions  and  uncertainties  include:  the  company's
expectation  of  continued  growth in the demand for  electricity;  belief  that
legislation  and  regulations  relating to the Clean Air Act and the  relatively
higher costs of competing  fuels will  increase  demand for its  compliance  and
low-sulfur  coal;  expectation of continued  improved market  conditions for the
price of coal;  expectation  that the company  will  continue  to have  adequate
liquidity from its cash flow from operations, together with available borrowings
under its credit  facilities,  to finance the company's working capital needs; a
variety of operational, geologic, permitting, labor and weather related factors;
and the other risks and  uncertainties  which are described from time to time in
the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.







                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                      (In thousands, except per share data)



                                                                            Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                                                                               December 31                December 31
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2003        2002          2003          2002
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               (Unaudited)                (Unaudited)
                                                                                                      

Revenues
  Coal sales                                                              $ 374,930   $ 369,676    $ 1,435,488   $ 1,473,558

Costs and expenses
  Cost of coal sales                                                        366,302     356,347      1,418,362     1,412,541
  Selling, general and administrative expenses                               13,630      10,344         47,295        40,019
  Long-term incentive compensation plan expense                              14,992           -         16,217             -
  Amortization of coal supply agreements                                      3,412       6,311         16,622        22,184
  Other expenses                                                              5,824       9,262         18,980        30,118
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            404,160     382,264      1,517,476     1,504,862
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

Other operating income
  Income from equity investments                                              5,432       7,800         34,390        10,092
  Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                     42,743           -         42,743             -
  Other operating income                                                     11,798      12,966         45,226        50,489
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

                                                                             59,973      20,766        122,359        60,581
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

      Income from operations                                                 30,743       8,178         40,371        29,277

Interest expense, net:

  Interest expense                                                          (13,726)    (12,140)       (50,133)      (51,922)
  Interest income                                                             1,386         284          2,636         1,083
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

                                                                            (12,340)    (11,856)       (47,497)      (50,839)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

Other non-operating income (expense):
  Expenses resulting from early debt extinguishment and termination of hedge
     accounting for interest rate swaps                                      (2,066)          -         (8,955)            -
  Other non-operating income                                                  1,897           -         13,211             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               (169)          -          4,256             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

      Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of
          accounting change                                                  18,234      (3,678)      (2,870)       (21,562)
Benefit from income taxes                                                    (5,700)     (4,750)     (23,210)       (19,000)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
      Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change            23,934       1,072       20,340         (2,562)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes                              -           -       (3,654)             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
      Net income (loss)                                                      23,934       1,072       16,686         (2,562)
Preferred stock dividends                                                    (1,797)          -       (6,589)             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
      Net income (loss) available to common shareholders                  $  22,137   $   1,072     $ 10,097       $ (2,562)
                                                                         ===========  ============= =============  ============


Earnings per common share
Basic earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change       $    0.42   $    0.02     $   0.26       $  (0.05)
Cumulative effect of accounting change                                            -           -        (0.07)             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings (loss) per common share                                    $    0.42   $    0.02     $   0.19       $  (0.05)
                                                                         ======================================================

Diluted earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change     $    0.40   $    0.02     $   0.26       $  (0.05)
Cumulative effect of accounting change                                            -           -        (0.07)             -
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share                                  $    0.40   $    0.02     $   0.19       $  (0.05)
                                                                         ======================================================

Weighted average shares outstanding
  Basic                                                                      52,720      52,382       52,511         52,374
  Diluted                                                                    60,297      52,533       52,885         52,374
                                                                         ======================================================

Dividends declared per common share                                       $  0.0575   $  0.0575     $ 0.2300       $ 0.2300
                                                                         ======================================================

Adjusted EBITDA (A)                                                       $  75,872   $  57,853     $220,260       $228,910
                                                                         ======================================================


(A)  Adjusted  EBITDA is defined as net income before the effect of net interest
     expense;  income taxes; our depreciation,  depletion and amortization;  our
     equity interest in the  depreciation,  depletion and amortization of Canyon
     Fuel  Company,  LLC;  cumulative  effect of  accounting  changes;  expenses
     resulting from early extinguishment of debt; and mark-to-market adjustments
     in the value of derivative instruments.


     Adjusted  EBITDA is not a measure of financial  performance  in  accordance
with generally accepted accounting  principles,  and items excluded to calculate
Adjusted  EBITDA are  significant in  understanding  and assessing our financial
condition.  Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation nor
as an  alternative  to net  income,  income  from  operations,  cash  flows from
operations or as a measure of our profitability,  liquidity or performance under
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  We believe  that  Adjusted  EBITDA
presents  a useful  measure of our  ability  to service  and incur debt based on
ongoing  operations.  Furthermore,  analogous  measures  are  used  by  industry
analysts to evaluate operating  performance.  Investors should be aware that our
presentation  of  Adjusted  EBITDA may not be  comparable  to  similarly  titled
measures  used by other  companies.  The  table  below  shows  how we  calculate
Adjusted EBITDA.



                                                                            Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                                                                               December 31                December 31
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2003        2002          2003          2002
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)
                                                                                                       
     Net income (loss)                                                    $ 23,934     $   1,072     $  16,686     $  (2,562)
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                                      -             -         3,654             -
     Benefit from income taxes                                              (5,700)       (4,750)      (23,210)      (19,000)
     Interest expense, net                                                  12,340        11,856        47,497        50,839
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization - Arch Coal, Inc.             40,322        43,917       158,464       174,752
     DD&A - Equity interest in Canyon Fuel Company, LLC                      4,807         5,758        21,425        24,881
     Expenses from early debt extinguishment and other nonoperating            169             -        (4,256)            -
                                                                         ------------ ----------- -------------- --------------

     Adjusted EBITDA                                                      $ 75,872    $   57,853     $ 220,260     $ 228,910
                                                                         ============ =========== ============== ===============










                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (In thousands)



                                                                                December 31,         December 31,
                                                                                    2003                 2002
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                                                                                 (Unaudited)
                                                                                               

Assets
  Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                $      254,541          $      9,557
    Trade receivables                                                               118,376               135,903
    Other receivables                                                                29,897                30,927
    Inventories                                                                      69,907                66,799
    Prepaid royalties                                                                 4,586                 4,971
    Deferred income taxes                                                            19,700                27,775
    Other                                                                            16,638                15,781
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total current assets                                  513,645               291,713
                                                                            -------------------------------------------

  Property, plant and equipment, net                                              1,315,135             1,284,968
                                                                            -------------------------------------------

  Other assets
    Prepaid royalties                                                                70,880                51,078
    Coal supply agreements                                                            6,397                59,240
    Deferred income taxes                                                           246,024               221,116
    Equity investments                                                              172,045               231,551
    Other                                                                            63,523                43,142
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                                                                                    558,869               606,127
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total assets                                   $    2,387,649         $   2,182,808
                                                                            ===========================================

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
  Current liabilities
    Accounts payable                                                         $       89,975         $     113,527
    Accrued expenses                                                                180,314               133,287
    Current portion of debt                                                           6,349                 7,100
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total current liabilities                             276,638               253,914
  Long-term debt                                                                    700,022               740,242
  Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension                                352,097               324,539
  Asset retirement obligations                                                      143,545               117,804
  Accrued workers' compensation                                                      77,672                80,985
  Other noncurrent liabilities                                                      149,640               130,461
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total liabilities                                   1,699,614             1,647,945
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity
  Preferred stock                                                                        29                     -
  Common Stock                                                                          536                   527
  Paid-in capital                                                                   988,476               835,763
  Retained deficit                                                                 (255,936)             (253,943)
  Treasury stock, at cost                                                            (5,047)               (5,047)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                              (40,023)              (42,437)
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total stockholders' equity                            688,035               534,863
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
                              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $    2,387,649         $   2,182,808
                                                                            ===========================================


NOTE:Certain   amounts  in  the  December  31,  2002  balance  sheet  have  been
     reclassified to conform with the  classifications in the 2003 balance sheet
     with no effect on previously reported stockholders' equity.








                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (In Thousands)



                                                                                   Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                       December 31,
                                                                     -------------------------------------------------
                                                                          2003                              2002
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------
                                                                       (Unaudited)
                                                                                                 

Operating activities
Net income (loss)                                                    $    16,686                       $   (2,562)
Adjustments to reconcile to cash
     provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization                               158,464                           174,752
  Prepaid royalties expensed                                              13,153                             8,503
  Accretion on asset retirement obligations                               12,999                                 -
  Net gain on disposition of assets                                       (3,782)                             (751)
  Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                 (42,743)                                -
  Income from equity investments                                         (34,390)                          (10,092)
  Net distributions from equity investments                               49,686                            17,121
  Cumulative effect of accounting change                                   3,654                                 -
  Other nonoperating income                                               (4,256)                                -
  Changes in:
      Receivables                                                         18,805                            14,028
      Inventories                                                         (2,857)                           (6,666)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                8,844                            (4,711)
      Income taxes                                                       (13,822)                          (15,826)
      Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension                  27,558                            (1,559)
      Asset retirement obligations                                       (20,606)                            6,336
      Accrued workers' compensation benefits                              (3,313)                            2,217
      Other noncurrent liabilities                                       (14,984)                            1,547
      Other                                                               (6,735)                           (5,920)
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

    Cash provided by operating activities                                162,361                           176,417
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment                              (132,427)                         (137,089)
Proceeds from sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP             115,000                            33,603
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment                4,282                             2,522
Proceeds from coal supply agreements                                      52,548                                 -
Additions to prepaid royalties                                           (32,571)                          (27,339)
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

    Cash provided by (used in) investing activities                        6,832                          (128,303)
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

Financing activities
Net payments on revolver and lines of credit                             (65,971)                          (26,513)
Payments on term loans                                                  (675,000)                                -
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes                                   700,000                                 -
Debt financing costs                                                     (18,508)                           (8,228)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of equipment                                  -                             9,213
Reductions of obligations under capital lease                                  -                            (8,210)
Dividends paid                                                           (17,481)                          (12,045)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock                                139,024                                 -
Proceeds from sale of common stock                                        13,727                               336
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------
    Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                       75,791                           (45,447)
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                    244,984                             2,667
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                             9,557                             6,890
                                                                     ---------------                   ---------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                              $  254,541                        $    9,557
                                                                     ===============                   ===============


Canyon Fuel Company cash flow information (Arch Coal ownership percentage)
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                21,425                            24,881
  Additions to property, plant and equipment                             (15,498)                          (21,773)










                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

Included in the  accompanying  release,  we have disclosed  income  available to
common  shareholders for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2003 excluding
the partial sale of the company's  investment in Natural Resource Partners and a
charge related to a long-term  incentive  compensation  plan. These measures are
considered   non-GAAP  measures  as  defined  by  Regulation  G.  The  following
reconciles these amounts to net income available to common shareholders reported
under GAAP:





                                                                                Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                    December 31        December 31
                                                                                ----------------------------------------
                                                                                       2003                2003
                                                                                ----------------------------------------
                                                                                    (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)
                                                                                                 

     Net income available to common shareholders                                 $      22,137        $     10,097
     Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                            (42,743)            (42,743)
     Long-term incentive compensation plan expense                                      14,992              16,217
     Long-term incentive compensation plan expense included in
          equity income from Canyon Fuel Company                                         1,129               1,129
     Tax impact of the excluded items (at AMT rate of 25%)                               6,656               6,349
                                                                                ----------------------------------------

     Net income (loss) available to common shareholders excluding items          $       2,171        $     (8,951)
                                                                                ========================================

     Fully diluted shares outstanding                                                   60,297              52,885
     Adjustment to exclude impact of stock options due to net loss                           -                (374)
     Adjustment to exclude impact of convertible preferred shares
          that would not be dilutive                                                    (6,896)                  -
                                                                                ----------------------------------------
     Fully diluted shares outstanding                                                   53,401              52,511
                                                                                ----------------------------------------

     Earnings (loss) per common share excluding items                            $        0.04        $      (0.17)
                                                                                =================  =====================