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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 dZ7xWc4Do3ODmwz1EurA6w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-003391.txt : 20030508
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-003391.hdr.sgml : 20030508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030507193534
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-003391
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030508

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PEABODY ENERGY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001064728
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221]
		IRS NUMBER:				134004153
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		701 MARKET ST
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101-1826
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3143423400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		701 MARKET ST
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101-1826

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	P&L COAL HOLDINGS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980623

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHLESINGER JAMES DR R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218570

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16463
		FILM NUMBER:		03687078

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MITRE CORP
		STREET 2:		7515 COLSHIRE DRIVE
		CITY:			MCLEAN
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion><documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-06</periodOfReport><issuer><issuerCik>1064728</issuerCik>        <issuerName>PEABODY ENERGY CORP</issuerName><issuerTradingSymbol>BTU</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>1218570</rptOwnerCik>            <rptOwnerName>SCHLESINGER JAMES DR R</rptOwnerName>        </reportingOwnerId>        <reportingOwnerAddress>            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>        </reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle></officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitl
e><value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>28.51</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-05-06</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate><value>2003-05-06</value></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1754</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2004-05-06</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-05-06</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1754</value></underlyingSecu
rityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4549</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The options vest in three equal annual installments beginning on May 6, 2004.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>By: /s/ Joseph W. Bean, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-07</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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