<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001037676
<NAME>                        ARCH COAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         26,518
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  220,882
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    89,218
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               367,640
<PP&E>                                         2,688,217
<DEPRECIATION>                                 735,173
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,920,265
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          358,384
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       397
<OTHER-SE>                                     631,631
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,920,265
<SALES>                                        641,178
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               665,990
<CGS>                                          576,516
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  616,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             14,170
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                35,819
<INCOME-TAX>                                   5,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            30,819
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                1,488
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   29,331
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .74