8-K

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): September 9, 
1994



Westmoreland Coal Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware                     0-752                  23-1128670
(State or other         (Commission File         (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of              Number)             Identification 
No.)
incorporation)


700 The Bellevue, 200 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania                                  19102
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (215) 545-2500 


Item 5.    Other Events.

   On September 9, 1994, Westmoreland Coal Company announced that 
lenders associated with Westmoreland's three principal credit 
facilities have agreed to extend maturity dates for the repayment 
of these facilities to November 1, 1994.

   A press release describing the transaction is attached as an 
exhibit and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.    Exhibits.

   Press release dated September 9, 1994.






EXHIBIT INDEX


                                                        Sequentially
Exhibit    Description of Exhibit                         Numbered
Number                                                      Page
  1        Press release dated September 9, 1994.             4







        




SIGNATURE





	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, thereunto duly authorized.


		  WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY




Date:  September 12, 1994		By:						
			   Theodore E. Worcester
		     Senior Vice President
			

EX-99

                       Westmoreland and its Lenders
                          Extend Debt Maturities



Philadelphia, PA --September 9, 1994 -- Westmoreland Coal 
Company (NYSE:WCX) today announced that lenders associated with 
Westmoreland's three principal credit facilities have agreed to 
extend maturity dates for the repayment of these facilities to 
November 1, 1994 in recognition of the previously announced sale 
of the assets of Kentucky Criterion Coal Company to CONSOL of 
Kentucky, Inc., a member of the CONSOL coal group.  The 
agreement also provides for pre-payment from proceeds of any 
other asset sales.

The three principal credit facilities have an aggregate balance 
of $44,385,000 as of today.  They are summarized as follows:

1.  A Revolving Credit Agreement with a total commitment and
    outstanding balance of $8,000,000.

2.  10% Senior Notes with an outstanding balance of $11,325,000.

3.  The Reimbursement Obligation with an outstanding balance of 
    $25,060,000 as a result of an original draw of $26,560,000
    on June 9, 1994 under a letter of credit issued by a group
    of banks in connection with Westmoreland's interest in the 
    Dominion Terminal Associates coal export terminal.

It is anticipated that these credit facilities will be fully 
paid from the proceeds of the sale of the Kentucky Criterion 
assets for $85 million.  This sale is expected to close prior to 
November 1, 1994.

Christopher K. Seglem, Westmoreland's President and Chief 
Executive Officer said "This achieves one of the principal goals 
we set in our effort to turn Westmoreland around.  Negotiations 
with our lenders have been long and difficult but we are pleased 
that this agreement has not been reached.  Resolving this issue 
of debt repayment with our principal lenders is a major step 
forward in the implementation of Westmoreland's repositioning 
and growth strategy to achieve meaningful and sustainable long 
term profitability."