<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<CIK>                         0001037676
<NAME>                        ARCH COAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         1,553
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  179,672
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    54,546
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               268,716
<PP&E>                                         2,210,359
<DEPRECIATION>                                 767,037
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,260,480
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          362,514
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       397
<OTHER-SE>                                     211,964
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,260,480
<SALES>                                        343,405
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               359,289
<CGS>                                          319,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  343,438
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             22,749
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,898)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,198)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,198)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.14)