<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 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 CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         326,250
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  356,138
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,665
<INVENTORY>                                    173,029
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,755,729
<PP&E>                                       6,283,894
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,626,220
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,944,829
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,299,436
<BONDS>                                      2,304,422
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         50
<COMMON>                                           160
<OTHER-SE>                                     446,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,944,829
<SALES>                                        791,134
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               820,165
<CGS>                                          754,755
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  754,755
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              75,846
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (28,431)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,472)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (19,959)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (19,959)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0