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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906344-09-000425.txt : 20090224
<SEC-HEADER>0000906344-09-000425.hdr.sgml : 20090224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090224140406
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906344-09-000425
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090224
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090224

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			James River Coal CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297720
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221]
		IRS NUMBER:				541602012
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 E. BYRD STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219
		BUSINESS PHONE:		804-780-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 E. BYRD STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEELHEAD NAVIGATOR MASTER, L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001385897
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-51129
		FILM NUMBER:		09630360

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 REID ST
		CITY:			HAMILTON HM 11
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(206) 689-2450

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 REID ST
		CITY:			HAMILTON HM 11
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STEELHEAD OFFSHORE CAPITAL, L.P.
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20080520

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STEELHEAD OFFSHORE CAPITAL LP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20070110
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-20</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001297720</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>James River Coal CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JRCC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001385897</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEELHEAD NAVIGATOR MASTER, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CITCO FUND SERVICES (BERMUDA) LTD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>WASHINGTON MALL W., 2ND FL., 7 REID ST.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON HM II</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>32108</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.2461</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4547108</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.4973</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4647108</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steelhead Navigator Master, L.P.; By: Steelhead Offshore Partners, LLC, its General Partner; By: Steelhead Partners, LLC, its Sole Member; By: J. Michael Johnston, its Managing Member; /s/ J. Michael Johnston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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