UNITED STATES
                       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)
                       October 22, 2003 (October 22, 2003)

                     St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                      001-31539               41-0518430
(State or other jurisdiction           (Commission            (I.R.S Employer
      of incorporation)                File Number)          Identification No.)


             1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80203
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 861-8140


                                 Not applicable
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)







Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c)    Exhibits.

                The following exhibit is furnished as part of this report:

                Exhibit 99.1   Press release of St. Mary Land & Exploration
                               Company dated October 22, 2003

Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

         In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the following
information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall such
information and Exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific
reference in such a filing.

         On October 22, 2003, the registrant issued a press release announcing a
regular semi-annual 5 cent per share cash dividend to be paid on November 17,
2003 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 7, 2003.
This press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

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                                   SIGNATURES

         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 hereunto duly authorized.


                                     ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY


Date:  October 22, 2003              By: /s/ GARRY A. WILKENING
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Garry A. Wilkening
                                        Vice President - Administration and
                                        Controller

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