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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WbaRFvN0YnqtqgInBxigFzgvdgi2mUxPIsiAhW51LVIsjaKYaj5iYfUDqR+P+tzC
 sh+zieaiqUa4uYH26sUvdw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-036892.txt : 20031229
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-036892.hdr.sgml : 20031225
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031229141314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-036892
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031229

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARCH COAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001037676
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221]
		IRS NUMBER:				430921172
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CITY PLACE ONE STE 300
		STREET 2:		ARCH MINERAL CORP
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63141
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3149942700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CITYPLACE ONE SUITE 300
		STREET 2:		ARCH MINERAL CORP
		CITY:			CREVE COEUR
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63141

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ARCH MINERAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970411

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MESSEY ROBERT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001129715

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13105
		FILM NUMBER:		031075124

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13318 WOOD STONE COURT
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63141
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3149942930

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13318 WOOD STONE COURT
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63141
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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