<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS OF MARCH 31, 1999 AND FOR THE PERIOD THEN
ENDED, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001064728
<NAME> P&L COAL HOLDINGS CO
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         194,078
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  312,925
<ALLOWANCES>                                       177
<INVENTORY>                                    249,897
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,832,461
<PP&E>                                       4,956,633
<DEPRECIATION>                                 193,492
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,023,931
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,345,508
<BONDS>                                      2,469,975
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         50
<COMMON>                                           197
<OTHER-SE>                                     494,983
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,023,931
<SALES>                                      1,970,957
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,094,226
<CGS>                                        1,847,817
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,847,817
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             176,105
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,143
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,047
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,096
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,029
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0