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): July 27, 2004 (July 26, 2004)

                                 Arch Coal, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                       1-13105                    43-0921172
-----------------------------   --------------------------        ----------
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation)                                       Identification No.)


            One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314) 994-2700











                               Page 1 of 5 pages.
                         Exhibit Index begins on page 4.






Item 7 Financial Statements, ProForma Financial Information and Exhibits.

         See the Exhibit Index at page 5 of this Report.

Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

Item 12.  Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The information in this Report is being  furnished under Item 9,  "Regulation FD
Disclosure"  and Item 12,  "Disclosure  of Results of  Operations  and Financial
Condition."

     On July 26, 2004,  Arch Coal,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  announced via press
release its earnings  and  operating  results for the second  quarter of 2004. A
copy of the Company's press release is attached hereto and  incorporated  herein
by reference in its entirety.

     The Company is also  providing  the  following  reconciliation  of Adjusted
EBITDA for its Arch Western Resources, LLC subsidiary:




Arch Western Resources, LLC                                       Three Months Ended              Six Months Ended
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA                        June 30                        June 30
                                                                -----------------------    -------------------------------
                                                                   2004        2003            2004             2003
                                                                ----------- -----------    --------------   --------------
                                                                                 (Amounts in 000's)
                                                                                                 

     Net income                                                 $   8,022    $ 10,421       $  8,944         $   254
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                             -           -              -          18,278
     Interest expense, net                                          9,073       6,476         18,270          13,056
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization -
          Arch Western Resources                                   16,760      16,115         33,396          30,980
     DD&A - Equity interest in Canyon Fuel Company, LLC             4,463       5,826          8,853          11,319
     Other nonoperating expense                                     3,388       4,896          6,775           4,896
                                                                ----------- -----------    --------------   --------------

     Adjusted EBITDA                                            $  41,706    $ 43,734       $ 76,238         $78,783
                                                                =========== ===========    ==============   ==============


Reconciliation of net income to income before other nonoperating
  expense and cumulative effect of accounting change

     Net income                                                 $   8,022    $ 10,421       $  8,944         $   254
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                             -           -              -          18,278
     Other nonoperating expense                                     3,388       4,896          6,775           4,896
                                                                ----------- -----------    --------------   --------------

     Income before other nonoperating expense and cumulative
effect of accounting change                                     $  11,410    $ 15,317       $ 15,719         $23,428
                                                                =========== ===========    ==============   ==============



                               Page 2 of 5 pages.
                         Exhibit Index begins on page 5.





Note:Adjusted  EBITDA is defined as net income before the effect of net interest
     expense;  income taxes; our depreciation,  depletion and amortization;  our
     equity interest in the  depreciation,  depletion and amortization of Canyon
     Fuel Company,  LLC; cumulative effect of accounting  changes;  and expenses
     resulting from early extinguishment of debt; and mark-to market adjustments
     in the value of derivative instruments.

          Adjusted  EBITDA  is  not  a  measure  of  financial   performance  in
     accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,   and  items
     excluded to calculate  Adjusted EBITDA are significant in understanding and
     assessing our financial condition. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be
     considered in isolation nor as an  alternative  to net income,  income from
     operations,   cash   flows  from   operations   or  as  a  measure  of  our
     profitability, liquidity or performance under generally accepted accounting
     principles.  We believe that Adjusted  EBITDA  presents a useful measure of
     our  ability  to  service  and  incur  debt  based on  ongoing  operations.
     Furthermore,  analogous  measures are used by industry analysts to evaluate
     operating  performance.  Investors should be aware that our presentation of
     Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly  titled measures used by
     other companies.


In accordance with General  Instruction B.6 of Form 8-K, the information in this
Current  Report on Form 8-K,  including  Exhibit 99, shall not be deemed "filed"
for the  purposes  of  Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section,  nor shall it be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
a filing.


















                               Page 3 of 5 pages.
                         Exhibit Index begins on page 5








                                   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.

Dated:  July 27, 2004                       ARCH COAL, INC.



                                           By: /s/ Janet L. Horgan
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Janet L. Horgan
                                               Assistant General Counsel and
                                                 Assistant Secretary



























                               Page 4 of 5 pages.
                         Exhibit Index begins on page 4.











                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.                 Description
-----------                 ------------
     99                     Press Release dated as of July 26, 2004


































                               Page 5 of 5 pages.




                                                                     Exhibit 99
News from
Arch Coal, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FURTHER INFORMATION:

                                                                   Deck S. Slone
                                                                 Vice President,
                                                   Investor and Public Relations
                                                                  (314) 994-2717

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                   July 26, 2004

Arch Coal, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

|X| Revenue increases to $422.8 million, up 12% vs. the same period last year
|X| Earnings per fully diluted share rises to $0.17 ($0.20 excluding
      swap-related charge), vs. a net loss in 2Q03
|X| Adjusted EBITDA increases 19% to $65.4 million
|X| Average margin increases to $1.45 per ton vs. $0.88 in 2Q03
|X| Secured all major permits for new longwall mine in Logan County, West
      Virginia

     St. Louis - Arch Coal, Inc.  (NYSE:ACI)  today reported that for its second
quarter ended June 30, 2004, it had income  available to common  shareholders of
$9.3 million, or $0.17 per fully diluted share. Excluding charges related to the
termination  of hedge  accounting for interest rate swaps,  income  available to
common  shareholders  totaled $11.2  million,  or $0.20 per fully diluted share.
During the same period of 2003,  Arch  recorded a net loss  available  to common
shareholders  of $3.3  million,  or $0.06 per  fully  diluted  share.  Excluding
special items of $4.0 million principally related to the early extinguishment of
debt, Arch had income available to common shareholders of $0.7 million, or $0.01
per fully diluted share, during the 2003 quarter.

     "During the quarter,  Arch reported  dramatically  improved  results due to
higher average sales realizations, growing premiums for its low-sulfur coal, and
overall  strengthening  in U.S.  coal  demand,"  said  Steven  F.  Leer,  Arch's
president  and  chief  executive  officer.  "If  not  for  previously  disclosed
disruptions in rail service at several of our  operations,  Arch's results would
have been even stronger. In total, missed shipments and production  curtailments
related to high inventory levels cost the company an estimated $8 million during
the period."

     Revenues  increased  12% for the  quarter to $422.8  million,  compared  to
$378.9 million during the same period last year, due to stronger realizations in
both the  East and  West.  Sales  volumes  increased  3% to 26.4  million  tons,
reflecting  an  increase  of 1.5  million  tons,  or  8.7%,  at  Arch's  western
operations,  but offset  somewhat by a decline of 0.8 million  tons, or 9.6%, in
the East.  Operating income for the second quarter totaled $24.9 million,  which
was nearly  three times higher than the $9.4  million  recorded  during the same
period last year.  Adjusted EBITDA  increased 19% to $65.4 million,  compared to
$54.8 million in the same period last year.


     For the six  months  ended  June  30,  2004,  income  available  to  common
shareholders  increased  to $22.5  million,  or $0.41 per fully  diluted  share,
excluding a net gain of $81.9 million  associated with the sale of nearly all of
its remaining  interest in Natural  Resource  Partners,  charges  related to the
termination  of hedge  accounting for interest rate swaps,  and severance  costs
associated with the closing of the Skyline Mine in Utah. That compares to a loss
of $13.7 million, or $.26 per fully diluted share,  excluding charges related to
early debt extinguishment and the cumulative effect of accounting change, during
the same period of 2003.  Total coal sales for the six months  increased  17% to
$826.3  million and coal sales volumes  increased 8% to 52.3 million  tons,  vs.
$706.3 million and 48.3 million tons in the comparable period of 2003.  Adjusted
EBITDA  totaled  $212.8  million  for the first six months of 2004,  compared to
$93.5 million for the same period of 2003.

Improving profit margins in both East and West

     For the quarter,  Arch's average per-ton operating margin rose to $1.45 per
ton, compared to $0.88 per ton during the same period last year.

     Average realization for all tons sold increased 8% to $15.59 per ton, while
the average  cost across all tons  increased  approximately  4.7% to $14.14.  By
region, average realization per ton sold increased 22% in the East to $36.21 and
5% in the West to $7.67, as the company  benefited from stronger contract prices
in both regions and very attractive margins on limited spot sales in the East.

     Rail  difficulties  resulted in missed shipments in both the East and West,
including some of the company's  highest margin eastern  business.  In addition,
the company was forced to curtail  production during the quarter at the West Elk
mine in Colorado  and the Black  Thunder  mine in Wyoming due to high  inventory
levels stemming from insufficient rail service.  Inventory levels increased more
than 30% to 9.4 million tons during the year's first half.

     Average per-ton  operating cost for all tons sold rose  approximately  4.7%
during the quarter vs. the same period last year. Average per-ton operating cost
in  the  West  increased   approximately   4.6%  to  $6.79  due  principally  to
rail-related  production  constraints  as well as higher  sales-sensitive  costs
related to improved  realizations.  In the East, the average  per-ton  operating
cost  increased  16% to $33.29 as a result of lower  volumes,  higher  commodity
costs  (diesel  fuel,  explosives  and steel),  and  increased  contract  mining
expenses,  as well as higher  sales-sensitive  costs.  In addition,  the company
incurred  higher coal  preparation  and purchased coal costs  associated with an
ongoing effort to shift more of its eastern  production  into the  metallurgical
market.  During the  quarter,  the company  sold  approximately  650,000 tons of
metallurgical coal, an increase of 70% compared to the same period last year.

     "We  continue to focus on managing  our costs  effectively  and running our
operations in a manner that will enable us to capitalize on opportunities in the
marketplace," Leer said. "Arch's operations in both the East and West rank among
the most productive and lowest cost in their respective operating regions.  With
improved  rail  service  and the  completion  of several  small-scale  expansion
projects in the East, we expect  continued margin expansion and increased levels
of profitability across all of our operations."






Operating statistics

Second Quarter 2004 Regional Analysis:



                                                Eastern                  Western                      Total
                                              Operations                Operations
                                         2Q 04          2Q 03      2Q 04         2Q 03          2Q 04       2Q 03
                                                                                          


Tons sold (in mm)                           7.3          8.1        19.1          17.6           26.4        25.7
Sales price per ton (1)                  $36.21       $29.66       $7.67         $7.32         $15.59      $14.38
Operating cost per ton (1, 2)            $33.29       $28.62       $6.79         $6.49         $14.14      $13.50
Operating margin per ton                 $ 2.92       $ 1.04       $0.88         $0.83         $ 1.45      $ 0.88

Note:  Western  operations  data do not include the results of 65%-owned Canyon
Fuel  Company,  which is accounted for on the equity method.

(1) Per ton realizations and costs exclude  transportation costs that are billed
to customers.  Eastern  transportation costs totaled $10.1 million in the second
quarter  of 2004  and $8.7  million  in the  second  quarter  of  2003.  Western
transportation costs totaled $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2004 and $0.9
million in the second quarter of 2003.

(2) Per ton costs exclude postretirement medical costs totaling $14.2 million in
the second quarter of 2004 and $16.2 million in the second quarter of 2003.


Capital Spending and DD&A (in millions):



                          Q2 2004         1st Half 2004       Q2 2003           1st Half 2003     FY 2004 (proj.)
                                                                                   

Capital spending          $38.2           $71.7               $21.4             $72.1             $300
DD&A                      $40.5           $81.0               $45.4             $90.4             $175


Note:  Data on capital  spending and  depreciation,  depletion and  amortization
include Arch's ownership  percentage in Canyon Fuel Company.  Projected  capital
spending has been updated to include the purchase of the remaining 35% of Canyon
Fuel  Company,   the  inclusion  of  100%  of  Canyon  Fuel's  expected  capital
requirements  for the  remainder  of the year,  and  capital  related to initial
development  work at the Mountain  Laurel complex during the year's second half.
Projected DD&A includes  Canyon Fuel at 100% for the third and fourth  quarters.
Projected capital spending and DD&A do not include other potential  acquisitions
or reserve additions.

Coal markets continue to strengthen

     During  the  quarter,  spot  prices  for many coal  products  rose to their
highest  levels in many years as an  expanding  economy  boosted  power  demand;
coal-based utilities sought to rebuild rapidly depleting stockpiles; and eastern
coal producers struggled to keep pace with demand.

     "It is  becoming  increasingly  evident  that the fuels with which coal has
competed  for  decades - nuclear,  natural  gas and  hydroelectric  - are simply
incapable of keeping pace with  America's  growing demand for power," Leer said.
"As a result,  domestic  coal demand is booming - and the  domestic  coal market
appears to be at the outset of a long and sustained run."


     Rapid  declines in coal  stockpiles at U.S. power plants are one indication
of the  market's  staying  power,  according  to Leer.  "Based  on an  estimated
increase in electric  output of 2.4% year to date,  according to Edison Electric
Institute,  we expect that the amount of coal in power industry  stockpiles will
fall to well under 100 million tons by year's end," Leer said.  "That should act
as a powerful  stimulus for an extended  period of vigorous  demand as utilities
seek  to  rebuild  stockpiles  at  their  coal-based  power  plants,  which  are
increasingly  viewed as their most economic,  reliable and strategic  sources of
power."

     In  addition  to strong  domestic  demand,  world coal  markets are showing
similar signs of strength, boosted by increasing coal consumption in some of the
world's fastest growing economies, including China and India, according to Leer.
Robust international demand - coupled with a rejuvenated global steel industry -
has  greatly  enhanced  the  outlook  for U.S.  coal  exports,  which  are up an
estimated four million tons, or 25%, through the end of May.

     In addition,  sulfur dioxide emissions allowance credits are now trading at
over $500 per ton,  nearly four times  higher than the level just 18 months ago.
"Since the  passage of the Clean Air Act  Amendments  of 1990,  Arch has pursued
focused growth in the nation's three  principal  low-sulfur  coal regions," Leer
said.  "As a result,  we are  extremely  well  positioned  to  capitalize on the
current market  environment  and the  significant  premiums being paid for lower
sulfur coals."

Development work to commence at Mountain Laurel during third quarter

     In July,  Arch received the last major permit  needed to begin  development
work on a new longwall  mine,  located at the Mountain  Laurel  complex in Logan
County,  West Virginia.  "Arch's  extensive reserve base creates many attractive
opportunities for profitable growth," Leer said. "We view Mountain Laurel as one
of the best undeveloped longwall reserves in the eastern low-sulfur coalfields."

     The Mountain  Laurel longwall mine is expected to produce five million tons
of coal on an  annualized  basis once it ramps to full  production  in mid-2007.
Initial  production  should begin in late 2005. The mine's entire output will be
available for sale as either a metallurgical  coal or a high-quality steam coal,
depending on market dynamics at the time.  Arch expects to invest  approximately
$190 million to develop the longwall operation.

     "Once  development  work is completed,  we expect Mountain Laurel to become
the centerpiece of our eastern  operations," Leer said. "It is a unique property
that should rank among the most  productive  and lowest cost  operations  in the
region for many years to come." The start-up of the Mountain  Laurel longwall is
expected to coincide  with the projected  depletion of the Mingo Logan  longwall
reserves in late 2006.

Other recent developments

     On July 15, Arch  announced  that it had signed a  definitive  agreement to
acquire the remaining 35% interest in Canyon Fuel Company.  The present value of
the purchase price less cash acquired totals  approximately $98 million.  Canyon
Fuel will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Arch Coal following the closing of
the  transaction,  which is expected to occur sometime during the third quarter.
"This acquisition solidifies Arch's position as the leading coal producer in the
Western  Bituminous  Region," Leer said. "Demand for western bituminous coal has
increased significantly in recent months, as eastern utilities seek alternatives
for high-Btu,  low-sulfur eastern coals,  which remain in short supply.  Through
the  integration of our West Elk mine in Colorado and the Canyon Fuel operations
in Utah, we have established a strategic platform that will enable us to compete
aggressively for this business."


     Arch also  continues  to pursue the  acquisition  of Triton Coal  Company's
North Rochelle mine. As previously announced, the Federal Trade Commission filed
a  lawsuit  in late  March  2004 to block the  acquisition.  Arch  defended  the
transaction  in a hearing in U.S.  District  Court for the  District of Columbia
that concluded on July 20. The court is expected to render a decision during the
third quarter on whether to enjoin the transaction  from  proceeding.  "While we
hope for a favorable  decision,  Arch has incurred  certain  acquisition-related
costs -  totaling  approximately  $12  million  through  June 30 - that would be
expensed immediately should the Triton transaction fail to be consummated," Leer
noted.

     Arch ended the quarter  with $296.3  million of cash on its balance  sheet.
The company plans to use  approximately  $60 million of that cash to finance the
acquisition  of Itochu's  35% stake in Canyon Fuel.  The  remainder - as well as
approximately  $280 million in capacity under the company's  existing revolver -
is  available  to  fund  other  growth  initiatives,   including  the  potential
acquisition of Triton's  North  Rochelle  mine. In addition,  the company's Arch
Western  subsidiary  has an undrawn term loan of $100 million that could be used
to fund the potential acquisition of Triton.

Contract activity

     Capitalizing  on the  market's  current  strength,  Arch  acted  to lock in
pricing on a percentage of its unpriced  tonnage during the second quarter.  The
company signed  attractive new commitments that increased the percentage of coal
already priced for delivery in 2005 from  approximately  65% to 75%, and in 2006
from approximately 50% to 60%.

     "An  increasingly  attractive  contract  portfolio and a  significant  open
market position for future production should lead to significant improvements in
our average per-ton  realizations  across all regions in coming  quarters," Leer
said.

Looking ahead

     Arch  expects to record  earnings of between  $0.15 and $0.25 per share for
the  third  quarter,  excluding  charges  related  to the  termination  of hedge
accounting for interest rate swaps,  with actual results dependent in large part
on rail performance. Rail service is expected to improve as the year progresses,
according to Leer.

     "Despite rail-related challenges that are incorporated in our third quarter
earnings  estimate,  we expect  strong  upward  momentum  in  earnings in future
periods," Leer said.  "The fourth quarter is expected to be our strongest of the
year, and we anticipate even greater improvements in earnings next year, when an
increasing  percentage of our  production  is expected to reflect  recent market
conditions."

     A conference call concerning  second quarter  earnings will be webcast live
today at 11 a.m. Eastern. The conference call can be accessed via the "investor"
section of the Arch Coal Web site (www.archcoal.com).

     Arch Coal is one of the nation's  largest coal  producers,  with subsidiary
operations in West Virginia,  Kentucky,  Virginia,  Wyoming,  Colorado and Utah.
Through these  operations,  Arch Coal provides the fuel for  approximately 6% of
the electricity generated in the United States.



     Forward-Looking Statements:  Statements in this press release which are not
statements of historical fact are  forward-looking  statements  within the "safe
harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking  statements are based on information currently available to, and
expectations and assumptions  deemed  reasonable by, the company.  Because these
forward-looking  statements  are  subject  to various  risks and  uncertainties,
actual results may differ  materially  from those  projected in the  statements.
These  expectations,   assumptions  and  uncertainties  include:  the  company's
expectation  of  continued  growth in the demand for  electricity;  belief  that
legislation  and  regulations  relating to the Clean Air Act and the  relatively
higher costs of competing  fuels will  increase  demand for its  compliance  and
low-sulfur  coal;  expectation of continued  improved market  conditions for the
price of coal;  expectation  that the company  will  continue  to have  adequate
liquidity from its cash flow from operations, together with available borrowings
under its credit  facilities,  to finance the company's working capital needs; a
variety of operational, geologic, permitting, labor and weather related factors;
and the other risks and  uncertainties  which are described from time to time in
the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.







                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                      (In thousands, except per share data)



                                                                             Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                                                                  June 30                    June 30
                                                                         -------------------------  --------------------------
                                                                             2004         2003          2004         2003
                                                                         -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                (Unaudited)                 (Unaudited)
                                                                                                       

Revenues
  Coal sales                                                              $  422,778   $  378,892      $ 826,268    $706,282

Costs and expenses
  Cost of coal sales                                                         398,701      372,323        781,892     705,963
  Selling, general and administrative expenses                                12,358       11,890         27,984      23,763
  Amortization of coal supply agreements                                         628        4,526          1,238      10,320
  Other expenses                                                               7,046        4,972         12,819       9,520
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             418,733      393,711        823,933     749,566
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
Other operating income
  Income from equity investments                                               5,995       12,191          9,685      23,301
  Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                         384          -           81,851           -
  Other operating income                                                      14,446       11,995         37,908      23,085
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              20,825       24,186        129,444      46,386
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

      Income from operations                                                  24,870        9,367        131,779       3,102

Interest expense, net:
  Interest expense                                                           (14,101)     (11,667)       (28,842)    (23,219)
  Interest income                                                                903          493          1,613         826
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             (13,198)     (11,174)       (27,229)    (22,393)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

Other non-operating income (expense):
  Expenses resulting from early debt extinguishment and termination of
    hedge accounting for interest rate swaps                                 (2,066)      (4,823)         (4,132)     (4,823)
  Other non-operating income                                                    202          873             373         873
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             (1,864)      (3,950)         (3,759)     (3,950)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

      Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of
         accounting change                                                    9,808       (5,757)        100,791     (23,241)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes                                    (1,300)      (4,300)         19,700      (8,600)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
      Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change            11,108       (1,457)         81,091     (14,641)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes                              -            -               -      (3,654)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
      Net income (loss)                                                      11,108       (1,457)         81,091     (18,295)

Preferred stock dividends                                                    (1,797)      (1,797)         (3,594)     (2,995)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------

      Net income (loss) available to common shareholders                  $   9,311    $  (3,254)      $  77,497    $(21,290)
                                                                         ======================================================

Earnings per common share
Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change             $    0.17    $   (0.06)      $    1.43    $  (0.34)
Cumulative effect of accounting change                                            -            -               -       (0.07)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings (loss) per common share                                    $    0.17    $   (0.06)      $    1.43    $  (0.41)
                                                                         ======================================================

Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change             $    0.17    $   (0.06)      $    1.31    $  (0.34)
Cumulative effect of accounting change                                            -            -               -       (0.07)
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share                                  $    0.17    $   (0.06)      $    1.31    $  (0.41)
                                                                         ======================================================

Weighted average shares outstanding
  Basic                                                                      54,582       52,418          54,206      52,401
  Diluted                                                                    55,550       52,418          62,021      52,401
                                                                         ======================================================

Dividends declared per common share                                       $  0.0800    $  0.0575       $  0.1375     $0.1150
                                                                         ======================================================

Adjusted EBITDA (A)                                                       $  65,413    $  54,779       $ 212,817     $93,518
                                                                         ======================================================



(A)  Adjusted  EBITDA is defined as net income before the effect of net interest
     expense;  income taxes; our depreciation,  depletion and amortization;  our
     equity interest in the  depreciation,  depletion and amortization of Canyon
     Fuel  Company,  LLC;  cumulative  effect of  accounting  changes;  expenses
     resulting from early extinguishment of debt; and mark-to-market adjustments
     in the value of derivative instruments.

     Adjusted  EBITDA is not a measure of financial  performance  in  accordance
     with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and items  excluded  to
     calculate  Adjusted EBITDA are significant in  understanding  and assessing
     our  financial  condition.   Therefore,   Adjusted  EBITDA  should  not  be
     considered in isolation nor as an  alternative  to net income,  income from
     operations,   cash   flows  from   operations   or  as  a  measure  of  our
     profitability, liquidity or performance under generally accepted accounting
     principles.  We believe that Adjusted  EBITDA  presents a useful measure of
     our  ability  to  service  and  incur  debt  based on  ongoing  operations.
     Furthermore,  analogous  measures are used by industry analysts to evaluate
     operating  performance.  Investors should be aware that our presentation of
     Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly  titled measures used by
     other companies. The table below shows how we calculate Adjusted EBITDA.




                                                                             Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                                                                  June 30                    June 30
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2004         2003            2004         2003
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         


     Net income (loss)                                                    $  11,108     $ (1,457)     $  81,091      $(18,295)
     Cumulative effect of accounting change                                       -            -              -         3,654
     (Benefit from) provision for income taxes                               (1,300)      (4,300)        19,700        (8,600)
     Interest expense, net                                                   13,198       11,174         27,229        22,393
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization - Arch Coal, Inc.              36,080       39,586         72,185        79,097
     DD&A - Equity interest in Canyon Fuel Company, LLC                       4,463        5,826          8,853        11,319
     Expenses from early debt extinguishment and other nonoperating           1,864        3,950          3,759         3,950
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
     Adjusted EBITDA                                                      $  65,413     $ 54,779      $ 212,817      $ 93,518
                                                                         ======================================================








                                         Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                                  (In thousands)



                                                                                June 30,          December 31,
                                                                                  2004                2003
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                                                                                (Unaudited)
                                                                                         

Assets
  Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                                              $       296,300       $     254,541
    Trade receivables                                                              155,483             118,376
    Other receivables                                                               33,284              29,897
    Inventories                                                                     83,306              69,907
    Prepaid royalties                                                                2,880               4,586
    Deferred income taxes                                                           10,700              19,700
    Investment in Natural Resource Partners, LP, at market                           5,288                   -
    Other                                                                           19,076              16,638
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total current assets                                 606,317             513,645
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

  Property, plant and equipment, net                                             1,312,760           1,315,135
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

  Other assets
    Prepaid royalties                                                               87,397              70,880
    Coal supply agreements                                                           5,160               6,397
    Deferred income taxes                                                          249,240             246,024
    Equity investments                                                             158,042             172,045
    Other                                                                           79,433              63,523
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                                                                                   579,272             558,869
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total assets                                 $     2,498,349      $    2,387,649
                                                                          =========================================

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
  Current liabilities
    Accounts payable                                                       $       108,226      $       89,975
    Accrued expenses                                                               164,138             180,314
    Current portion of debt                                                              -               6,349
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total current liabilities                            272,364             276,638
  Long-term debt                                                                   700,071             700,022
  Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension                               363,722             352,097
  Asset retirement obligations                                                     144,896             143,545
  Accrued workers' compensation                                                     77,767              77,672
  Other noncurrent liabilities                                                     133,500             149,640
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total liabilities                                  1,692,320           1,699,614
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

  Stockholders' equity

    Preferred stock                                                                     29                  29
    Common stock                                                                       554                 536
    Paid-in capital                                                              1,033,865             988,476
    Retained deficit                                                              (185,907)           (255,936)
    Unearned compensation                                                           (3,132)                  -
    Treasury stock, at cost                                                         (5,047)             (5,047)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                           (34,333)            (40,023)
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total stockholders' equity                           806,029             688,035
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
                              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $     2,498,349      $    2,387,649
                                                                          =========================================








                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (In thousands)




                                                                                                  Six Months Ended
                                                                                                       June 30,
                                                                                           ----------------------------------
                                                                                                 2004             2003
                                                                                           ----------------------------------
                                                                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                                                                       

Operating activities
Net income (loss)                                                                           $    81,091       $   (18,295)
Adjustments to reconcile to cash
     provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                       72,185            79,097
  Prepaid royalties expensed                                                                      7,853             7,259
  Accretion on asset retirement obligations                                                       5,893             7,204
  Net gain on disposition of assets                                                                (607)           (1,688)
  Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                                        (81,851)                -
  Mark to market adjustment for investment in Natural Resource Partners, LP                      (8,104)                -
  Income from equity investments                                                                 (9,685)          (23,301)
  Net (contributions to) distributions from equity investments                                   (2,739)           23,622
  Cumulative effect of accounting change                                                              -             3,654
  Other non-operating expense                                                                     3,759             3,950
  Changes in:
      Receivables                                                                               (40,495)            6,363
      Inventories                                                                               (13,399)           (2,635)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                       2,417           (21,556)
      Income taxes                                                                                4,729            (8,668)
      Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension                                         11,625            12,944
      Asset retirement obligations                                                               (4,542)           (7,592)
      Accrued workers' compensation benefits                                                         95              (724)
      Other                                                                                      (8,243)            5,199
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

    Cash provided by operating activities                                                        19,982            64,833
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

Investing activities
Capital expenditures                                                                            (69,132)          (66,941)
Proceeds from sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, LP                                    105,365                 -
Proceeds from dispositions of capital assets                                                      1,010             1,839
Proceeds from coal supply agreements                                                                  -            52,548
Additions to prepaid royalties                                                                  (22,663)          (23,204)
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

    Cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                              14,580           (35,758)
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

Financing activities
Net payments on revolver and lines of credit                                                          -           (72,174)
Payments on long-term debt                                                                       (6,300)         (675,000)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes                                                                -           700,000
Deferred financing costs                                                                         (1,160)          (15,468)
Dividends paid                                                                                  (11,062)           (7,829)
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock                                                                 -           139,024
Proceeds from sale of common stock                                                               25,719             1,594
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

    Cash provided by financing activities                                                         7,197            70,147
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                            41,759            99,222
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                  254,541             9,557
                                                                                           ----------------------------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                    $   296,300         $ 108,779
                                                                                           ==================================


Canyon Fuel Company cash flow information (Arch Coal ownership percentage)
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                        8,853            11,319
  Additions to property, plant and equipment                                                     (2,531)           (5,164)








                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

Included in the  accompanying  release,  we have disclosed  income  available to
common  shareholders  for the  quarter  ending  June 30, 2004 and the six months
ending  June 30, 2004 and 2003  excluding  certain  items.  These  measures  are
considered   non-GAAP  measures  as  defined  by  Regulation  G.  The  following
reconciles these amounts to net income available to common shareholders reported
under GAAP:




                                                                        Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                                                             June 30                  June 30
                                                                        2004         2003        2004         2003
                                                                     --------------------------------------------------
                                                                            (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
                                                                                              

     Net income (loss) available to common shareholders               $  9,311   $ (3,254)     $ 77,497    $(21,290)

        Other non-operating expense                                      1,864      3,950         3,759       3,950
        Gain on sale of units of Natural Resource Partners, L.P.             -          -       (81,851)          -
        Severance costs related to Skyline idling                            -          -         2,110           -
        Cumulative effect of accounting change                               -          -             -       3,654
        Tax impact of the excluded items                                     -          -        20,990           -
                                                                     --------------------------------------------------

     Net income (loss) available to common shareholders excluding
       items                                                          $ 11,175   $   696       $ 22,505    $(13,686)
                                                                     ==================================================

     Fully diluted shares outstanding                                   55,550    52,418         62,021      52,401
     Adjustment to exclude impact of convertible preferred shares
          that would not be dilutive                                         -         -         (6,896)          -
                                                                     --------------------------------------------------
     Fully diluted shares outstanding                                   55,550    52,418         55,125      52,401
                                                                     --------------------------------------------------

     Earnings (loss) per common share excluding items                 $   0.20   $  0.01       $   0.41    $  (0.26)
                                                                     ==================================================