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                                                                 EXHIBIT 23.3

                   CONSENT OF STAGG ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC.

         We hereby consent to (i) the reference to us under the caption
"Experts," and (ii) the use of the excerpts of our report entitled "Summary
Report, Underground Reserves and Resources, Drummond Coal Company Properties,
Boone, Kanawha, and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia" (the "Report") dated
September, 1997, both of which are included in the prospectus (the "Prospectus")
of Pen Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") and the Guarantors (as defined in the
Prospectus) for the registration of $100,000,000 of the Company's 9-7/8 Series B
Senior Notes due 2008 and the Guarantees (as defined in the Prospectus). The
Prospectus is part of the registration statement to which this consent is an
exhibit.

         We hereby further consent to the inclusion of (i) any reference to our
name and (ii) the Report, or excerpts thereof, in any amendment to the
registration statement or any supplement to the Prospectus or any other filing
made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Respectfully submitted,

STAGG ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC.



By:  /s/ ALAN K. STAGG
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Name:  Alan K. Stagg
Title: President
Date:  July 30, 1998