Exhibit 23




                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Peabody Energy Corporation of our report dated January 18, 2003, included in
the December 31, 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders of Peabody Energy
Corporation.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
on Form S-8 pertaining to the Peabody Energy Corporation Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan and Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee
Directors (No. 333-61406), the Peabody Holding Company, Inc. Employee Retirement
Account, Lee Ranch Coal Company Retirement and Savings Plan for Salaried
Employees, and Western Surface Agreement-UMWA 401(k) Plan (No. 333-70910), and
the Peabody Energy Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (No. 333-75058), and
in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-00000), Post-effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-85564), and
Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
333-84174) and related combined prospectus of Peabody Energy Corporation of our
reports dated January 18, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Peabody Energy Corporation incorporated by reference
in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002.


                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP


St. Louis, Missouri
March 5, 2003