ARCH COAL INC
10-Q, 1997-08-14
BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   Form 10-Q

     [ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 1997

                                      OR

     [   ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  For the transition period from ____ to ____
                        Commission file number 1-13105

                                ARCH COAL, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               Delaware                                      43-0921172
    (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

CityPlace One, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri                   63141
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

CityPlace One, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri                   63141
           (Mailing Address)                                 (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code (314) 994-2700

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.     
         
                          Yes              No  [ X ]

At August 12, 1997,  there were 39,630,896  shares of registrant's  common stock
outstanding.


<PAGE>

                                      Index


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                    PAGE
- ------------------------------                                    ----

     Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 1997 
         and December 31, 1996                                       3

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three 
         Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 and the Six Months 
         Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                                4

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
         Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996                     5

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements            6

     Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information                      11

     Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of June 
         30, 1997 (with Accompanying Notes)                         12

     Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for 
         the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 (with Accompanying 
         Notes)                                                     15

     Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for the
         Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1996 (with 
         Accompanying Notes)                                        16

     Item 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
               FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS        18

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------

     Item 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                                    31

     Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
               HOLDERS                                              31

     Item 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                     31


                                        2
<PAGE>

                                PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 June 30         December 31
                                                                  1997             1996
                                                                 ------          ----------
                                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>

ASSETS                                                         
- ------
CURRENT ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                                 $    16,322      $      13,716
    Trade accounts receivable                                      74,625             75,657
    Other receivables                                               3,849              5,143
    Inventories                                                    41,794             35,234
    Prepaid royalties                                               3,337              2,624
    Deferred income taxes                                          14,500             14,500
    Prepaid expenses and other assets                               5,072              6,738
                                                                    -----              -----
        Total current assets                                      159,499            153,612
                                                                  -------            -------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET                                552,798            567,067
                                                                  -------            -------

OTHER ASSETS
    Prepaid royalties                                               3,723              3,723
    Coal supply agreements less accumulated amortization           79,170             83,369
    Deferred income taxes                                          78,520             67,207
    Receivables and other assets                                    9,994             10,543
                                                                    -----             ------
                                                                  171,407            164,842
                                                                  -------            -------

        Total assets                                       $      883,704     $      885,521
                                                           --------------     --------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------
    Accounts payable                                       $       56,383     $       42,712
    Accrued expenses                                               74,732             77,734
                                                                   ------             ------
        Total current liabilities                                 131,115            120,446
                                                                  -------            -------
LONG-TERM DEBT                                                    182,191            212,695
ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
    OTHER THAN PENSIONS                                           231,323            228,843
ACCRUED RECLAMATION AND MINE CLOSURE                              100,490             97,595
ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION                                      65,299             70,849
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES                                       25,019             24,467

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Common stock                                                      209                209
    Paid-in  capital                                                8,392              8,392
    Retained earnings                                             139,666            122,025
                                                                  -------            -------
        Total stockholders' equity                                148,267            130,626
                                                                  -------            -------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity         $      883,704     $      885,521
                                                           ==============     ==============
</TABLE>

  See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                        3

<PAGE>


ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                             June 30                  June 30
                                        ----------------          --------------
                                     1997          1996         1997             1996
                                     ----          ----         ----             ----
<S>                              <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>

REVENUES
 Coal sales                      $  190,958    $  186,728    $  383,286    $    370,614
 Other revenues                       5,199         4,792        10,290           9,394
                                      -----         -----        ------           -----
                                    196,157       191,520       393,576         380,008
                                    -------       -------       -------         -------

COSTS AND EXPENSES
 Cost of coal sales                 169,301       168,575       340,925         330,991
 Selling, general and           
   administrative expenses            3,300         4,686         8,197           9,259
 Amortization of coal supply         
   agreements                         2,084         2,979         4,200           5,834
 Other expenses                       5,176         4,168         7,645           7,866
                                      -----         -----         -----           -----
                                    179,861       180,408       360,967         353,950
                                    -------       -------       -------         -------
Income from operations               16,296        11,112        32,609          26,058

Interest expense, net:
 Interest expense                   (3,239)       (4,752)       (6,792)         (9,818)
 Interest income                        275           375           535             692
                                        ---           ---           ---             ---
                                    (2,964)       (4,377)       (6,257)         (9,126)
                                    ------        ------        ------          ------
Income before income taxes           13,332         6,735        26,352          16,932
Provision for income taxes            1,600         1,500         4,200           4,100
                                      -----         -----         -----           -----
Net income                       $   11,732    $    5,235    $   22,152       $  12,832
                                 ==========    ==========    ==========       =========
Earnings per common share        $     0.56    $     0.25    $     1.06       $    0.61
                                 ==========    ==========    ==========       =========
Average common shares                
  outstanding                        20,948        20,948        20,948          20,948
                                     ======        ======        ======          ======
Dividends declared per common       
  share                          $     0.11      $      -     $    0.22       $       -
                                 ==========      ========     =========       ========= 

</TABLE>

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

                                        4
<PAGE>


ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Six Months Ended
                                                                      June 30
                                                                      -------
                                                               1997                1996
                                                               -----               -----     
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income                                                 $     22,152     $       12,832
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization                     57,852             49,896
    Net gain on disposition of assets                              (409)              (804)
    Changes in:
        Trade accounts receivable                                 1,033                 22
        Other receivables                                         1,293              4,122
        Coal inventories                                         (7,248)             1,877
        Repair parts and supplies inventories                       688             (1,731)
        Income taxes                                            (11,313)            (2,757)
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    12,513              1,694    
        Accrued postretirement benefits                           2,480              5,226
        Accrued workers' compensation                            (7,394)            (3,371)
        Accrued reclamation and mine closure                     (1,388)              (583)
        Other                                                     2,054             (2,619)
                                                                  -----             ------ 
               CASH PROVIDED BY
               OPERATING ACTIVITIES                              72,313             63,804
                                                                 ------             ------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment                      (18,486)           (27,834)
Payments for acquisitions                                       (16,990)           (14,200)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and                
equipment                                                           784              1,188
                                                                    ---              -----

               CASH USED IN
               INVESTING ACTIVITIES                             (34,692)           (40,846)
                                                                -------            ------- 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from borrowings                                        140,000            221,500
Payments on borrowings                                         (170,503)          (251,684)
Dividends paid                                                   (4,512)                 -
                                                                 ------             ------     
               CASH USED IN
               FINANCING ACTIVITIES                             (35,015)           (30,184)
                                                                -------            ------- 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                  2,606             (7,226)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                   13,716             17,502
                                                                 ------             ------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                     $   16,322         $   10,276
                                                             ==========         ==========

</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



                                       5
<PAGE>



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
JUNE 30, 1997
(Unaudited)

Note A - GENERAL

The accompanying  condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  for  interim
financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations,  but are
subject to any year-end audit adjustments which may be necessary. In the opinion
of  management,  all  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal  recurring  accruals)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial
statements  should be read in conjunction  with the combined Proxy  Statement of
Ashland  Coal,  Inc./Form  S-4 Prospectus of Arch Mineral Corporation (Arch Coal
or the Company) dated May 30, 1997. Arch Mineral Corporation changed its name to
Arch Coal,  Inc.  effective July 1, 1997.  Results of operations for the periods
ended June 30, 1997,  are not  necessarily  indicative of results to be expected
for the year ending  December 31,  1997.  The Company  produces  steam coal from
surface  and deep mines in  Illinois,  Kentucky,  West  Virginia,  Virginia  and
Wyoming for sale to utility,  industrial and export markets. Some members of the
Company's workforce are represented by various labor organizations.  Significant
intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Note B - STOCK SPLIT


On April 4, 1997, the Company changed its capital  structure  whereby the number
of authorized shares was increased to 100,000,000  common shares,  the par value
was changed to $.01 per share, and a common stock split of 338.0859-for-one  was
effected. All share and per share information has been retroactively restated to
reflect the stock split.

Note C - MERGER

On July 1, 1997,  the Company  merged with Ashland Coal,  Inc.  (Ashland  Coal).
Under the terms of the merger,  Ashland Coal's stockholders  received one common
share of Arch Coal for each  common  share of  Ashland  Coal and  20,500  common
shares of Arch Coal for each share of Ashland Coal preferred  stock.  The merger
will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  An unaudited pro
forma  combined  balance  sheet as of March 31,  1997 and a pro  forma  combined
statement of  operations  for the year ended  December 31, 1996 were included in
the  Company's  Form 8-K filed on July 15, 1997.  Unaudited  proforma  financial
statements  and related notes thereto which give effect to the merger as of June
30, 1997, and for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and the twelve months ended
December 31, 1996, are included herein following these financial statements.




                                       6
<PAGE>

Note D - STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On July 25, 1997, the Company  announced  that the Company's  Board of Directors
has directed  implementation  of a share repurchase plan under which the Company
may  repurchase,  from time to time,  up to  1,000,000  shares of the  Company's
common stock. Shares acquired may be used for general corporate purposes.


Note E - INVENTORIES

Inventories are comprised of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    June 30, 1997    December 31, 1996
                                                    -------------    -----------------
                                                              (In thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>

Coal                                                   $29,114         $21,866
Repair Parts and Supplies                               12,680          13,368
                                                      --------        --------
                                                       $41,794         $35,234
                                                       =======         =======


Note F - DEBT 

Debt consists of the following:
                                                    June 30, 1997    December 31, 1996
                                                    -------------    -----------------
                                                              (In thousands)

Indebtedness to banks under revolving credit
agreement, expiring in 1999                           $ 10,000          $147,000

Demand note, variable interest rate (interest rate
at June 30, 1997 - 6.6%)                               122,000                 -

7.79% senior unsecured notes, payable annually
through January 31, 2003                                42,860            50,000

9.85% senior unsecured notes, paid in 1997                   -             8,000


Obligations, interest rates of 7.15% to 9%,
payable through 2009, collateralized by 
underlying properties                                    7,331             7,695
                                                       -------          --------

                                                      $182,191          $212,695
                                                      ========          ========

</TABLE>


The Company had an unsecured  revolving  credit  agreement with a group of banks
which  provided  for  borrowings  of  up to  $200  million.  On  July  1,  1997,
concurrently  with  the  Merger, the Company  entered  into a new  $500  million
revolving credit agreement and terminated the

                                       7
<PAGE>

$200 million  facility on July 2, 1997. The new revolving credit agreement has a
five year term, and the rate of interest on borrowings  under this agreement is,
at the Company's  option,  a money-market  rate  determined by a competitive bid
process,  the PNC Bank  base  rate or  a rate  based on LIBOR.  The  Company  is
currently borrowing under the LIBOR option.  The demand note was entered into as
a temporary  line of credit until the $500 million  revolving  credit  agreement
took effect.


Note G - CHANGE IN ESTIMATE AND NON-RECURRING REVENUES AND EXPENSES

During the quarter  ended June 30,  1997,  the Company  recorded a $4.2  million
reduction in workers'  compensation  reserves (including $3.5 million in cost of
coal sales and $.7 million in selling,  general and administrative expenses) due
to better than anticipated  safety  performance.  This favorable  adjustment was
offset,  in  part,  by a $1.5  million  charge  to cost of  coal  sales  for the
impoundment  failure  in October  1996 at Lone  Mountain  Processing  and a $1.5
million  charge to other  expenses for a  settlement  of a lawsuit with the Utah
Division of State Lands and Forestry.

In  addition,  year-to-date  results  reflect  a $3.3  million  decrease  in the
reclamation and mine closure reserve at the Company's  Illinois operation due to
a change in permit requirements.


Note H - CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to numerous  claims and lawsuits  with respect to various
matters.  The Company  provides for costs  related to  contingencies,  including
environmental  matters,  when a loss is  probable  and the amount is  reasonably
determinable. The Company estimates that its probable aggregate loss as a result
of such claims is $1.9 million (included in Other Noncurrent  Liabilities) as of
June 30, 1997.  The Company  estimates that its  reasonably  possible  aggregate
losses from all currently  pending  litigation  could be as much as $1.0 million
(before  taxes) in excess of the  probable  loss  previously  recognized.  After
conferring  with  counsel,  it is the opinion of  management  that the  ultimate
resolution of these claims, to the extent not previously  provided for, will not
have a material adverse effect on the consolidated  financial position,  results
of operations, or liquidity of the Company.

In May 1997,  the Company made a payment of $3.3 million to the State of Utah in
final  settlement  of the  matter of Trail  Mountain  Coal  Company  v. The Utah
Division of State Lands and Forestry (Trail Mountain lawsuit).  The $3.3 million
payment was $1.5  million more than the $1.8 million the Company had reserved as
of March 31, 1997,  as the  probable  loss  associated  with this  lawsuit.  The
Company  recorded  an  expense of $1.5  million  in the  second  quarter of 1997
related to the settlement.

On October 24, 1996, the rock strata  overlaying an old,  abandoned  underground
mine adjacent to the coal-refuse impoundment used by the Company's Lone Mountain
mine failed,  resulting in an accidental  discharge of approximately 6.3 million
gallons of water and fine coal slurry into a  tributary  of the Powell  River in
Lee County,  Virginia.  This  discharge  resulted in the death of  approximately
11,500 fish, according to estimates of the Virginia Department of Game in Inland
Fisheries.



                                       8
<PAGE>

Following the discharge,  personnel at Lone Mountain began working with agencies
of the  Commonwealth of Virginia and the Untied States to identify the long-term
effects,  if any, to fish, other organisms and the aquatic habitat of the Powell
River  system.  Small  quantities  of sediment  were  removed  from stream beds,
although the majority of material has been  resuspended and carried  downstream.
Lone  Mountain has committed to monitor and evaluate the stream  conditions  for
two years in order to accurately determine the effects of the discharge.

On January 29,  1997,  the  Director of the State  Water  Control  Board and the
Department of Mines,  Minerals and Energy of the  Commonwealth of Virginia filed
suit in Lee  County  Virginia  Circuit  Court  against  Lone  Mountain  alleging
violations  of  effluent   limitations  and  reporting   violations  under  Lone
Mountain's  NPDES permits.  Lone Mountain and the  Commonwealth of Virginia have
entered  into a settlement  agreement to resolve all matters  arising out of the
discharge.  Pursuant to the  settlement  agreement,  Lone  Mountain will pay the
Commonwealth  approximately $1.4 million. In return two notices of violation and
a show cause order were vacated.

The proposed  settlement  agreement was published on June 9, 1997,  and a public
comment period of 30 days commenced.  The Virginia  Coalfield  Regional  Tourism
Development Authority has sought to intervene in the lawsuit and has objected to
the settlement only with respect to the proposed  expenditures of the settlement
fund.  No other  terms of the  settlement  have  been  challenged.  In a hearing
conducted  on August 13,  1997,  the  Circuit  Court of Lee County  ordered  the
Tourism  Authority to prepare any  pleadings  necessary to present the issues it
plans to present to the court for decision.  The  Commonwealth and Lone Mountain
must respond to those  pleadings by September  12, 1997.  Thereafter,  the court
will either accept the legal challenge to the settlement  agreement and schedule
further  hearings,  or will dismiss the challenge and enter the  settlement as a
final order of the court. Upon entry by the court, the settlement will discharge
all civil claims alleging into the state's civil action of January 29, 1997.

At the request of the U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife  Service,  the United  States  Attorney  for the  Western  District  of
Virginia  has  undertaken  a  criminal   investigation  of  the  incident.   The
conclusions  of this  investigation  are not expected  until 1998.  On March 19,
1997,  Lone  Mountain  received a subpoena to produce  documents  and to testify
before a federal  grand jury.  The subpoena  seeks the  production  of documents
related to the design and approval of the impoundment. All documents relevant to
the subpoena have been  identified.  The final delivery of documents is expected
in August, 1997. During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Company recorded
expenses  related  to the  Lone  Mountain  impoundment  totaling  $4.6  million,
including a provision for the $1.4 million  settlement  described above, and for
costs to reconstruct the impoundment.


                                       9
<PAGE>


Note I - EARNINGS PER SHARE

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 128,  Earnings  per Share (SFAS 128).  The
Company is required to adopt SFAS 128 on December  31,  1997,  and at that time,
will present recomputed earnings per share (EPS) for all prior periods using the
methodology  specified by SFAS 128.  Although the Company has not yet determined
the full effect of SFAS 128, it believes  that basic EPS as computed  under SFAS
128 will not be  significantly  different from primary EPS as computed under the
prior accounting rules.


                                       10
<PAGE>

                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      The following unaudited pro forma financial  statements give effect to the
July 1, 1997 Merger of the Company and Ashland Coal (the Merger),  the issuance
of shares of Company  common stock to the  stockholders  of Ashland Coal and the
substitution  of options to  purchase  Company  common  stock for  Ashland  Coal
options  pursuant to the Arch Coal,  Inc. 1997 Stock  Incentive Plan  (Incentive
Plan). The unaudited pro forma balance sheet is based on the respective  balance
sheets of the  Company  and  Ashland  Coal and has been  prepared to reflect the
Merger as of June 30, 1997.  The  unaudited  pro forma  statements of income are
based upon the  respective  statements of income of the Company and Ashland Coal
and combine the results of  operations  of the Company and Ashland  Coal for the
six months  ended June 30, 1997 and for the twelve  months  ended  December  31,
1996, as if the Merger had been  consummated  on January 1, 1997, and January 1,
1996, respectively.  The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not reflect
any cost  savings or other  synergies  that may result from the  Merger.  In the
opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments  necessary to present
pro forma financial statements have been made.

      The  unaudited  pro  forma  financial  statements  do  not  purport  to be
indicative of the results of  operations  or financial  position that would have
occurred had the Merger  occurred as of the beginning of the period or as of the
date indicated or of the financial position or results of operations that may be
obtained in the future.

      The Merger will be accounted for under the purchase  method of accounting.
Accordingly,  the cost to acquire  Ashland  Coal will be allocated to the assets
acquired and liabilities  assumed according to their respective fair values. The
final allocation of such cost is dependent upon certain valuations that have not
progressed  to a stage where  there is  sufficient  information  to make a final
allocation in the accompanying pro forma financial statements.  Accordingly, the
cost  allocation  adjustments  are preliminary and have been made solely for the
purpose of preparing such pro forma financial statements.

      Adjustments to the preliminary  allocation  likely would result in changes
to amounts  assigned  to coal  reserves,  plant and  equipment  and coal  supply
agreements and accordingly could impact depreciation, depletion and amortization
charged to future  periods.  Although not  expected to be  material,  the likely
impact of the final allocation is not reasonably known.


                                       11
<PAGE>

Arch Coal, Inc.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
June 30, 1997
(In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Arch                
                                      Mineral       Ashland        Purchase
                                    Corporation      Coal         Accounting         Pro
                                     Historical    Historical     Adjustments       Forma
                                   -------------   ----------     -----------       ------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>            <C>               <C>  

ASSETS 
- ------
CURRENT ASSETS                                                                    
       Cash and cash equivalents      $    16,322   $     4,236    $      --         $   20,558
       Trade accounts receivable           74,625        52,803           --            127,428
       Other receivables                    3,849         2,334           --              6,183
       Inventories                         41,794        45,931           --             87,725
       Prepaid royalties                    3,337        16,534           --             19,871
       Deferred income taxes               14,500         1,325           --             15,825
       Prepaid expenses and other 
        assets                              5,072         4,208           --              9,280
                                            -----         -----         ------            -----
            Total current assets          159,499       127,371           --            286,870
                                          -------       -------         ------          -------
  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT,
     NET                                  552,798       558,363         36,526 (1)    1,147,687
                                          -------       -------         ------        ---------

  OTHER ASSETS
       Prepaid royalties                    3,723        69,144        (59,008)(1)       13,859
       Coal supply agreements less 
        accumulated amortization           79,170        25,573         96,325 (1)      201,068
       Deferred income taxes               78,520          --          (41,237)(2)       37,283
       Receivables and other assets         9,994        13,498        (10,046)(1)       13,446
                                            -----        ------        -------           ------
                                          171,407        108,215       (13,966)         265,656
                                          -------        -------       -------          -------

            Total assets              $   883,704   $   793,949    $    22,560      $ 1,700,213
                                      ===========   ===========    ===========      ===========

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  ------------------------------------
  CURRENT LIABILITIES
       Accounts payable               $    56,383   $    37,589    $      --        $    93,972
       Accrued expenses                    74,732        27,513          4,500 (3)      106,745
       Current portion of
        long-term debt                       --          25,762           --             25,762
                                            -----        ------          -----           ------
            Total current
              liabilities                 131,115        90,864          4,500          226,479

  LONG-TERM DEBT                          182,191       128,610         20,100 (4)      330,901
  ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT
   BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS           231,323        84,434        (28,567)(5)      287,190
  ACCRUED RECLAMATION AND MINE   
     CLOSURE                              100,490        12,462           --            112,952
  ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION            65,299        23,263           --             88,562
  DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                      --          12,690        (12,690)(2)           --
  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES             25,019        19,022           (933)(6)       43,108
                                           ------        ------        -------          ------

  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                    735,437       371,345        (17,590)       1,089,192
                                          -------       -------        -------        ---------
       Convertible preferred stock           --          67,841        (67,841)(7)           --    
       Common stock                           209           138             49 (8)          396
       Paid-in capital                      8,392       110,042        352,525 (9)      470,959
       Retained earnings                  139,666       250,074       (250,074)(10)     139,666
       Less:  treasury common
        stock at cost                        --          (5,491)         5,491 (11)          --
                                           ------        ------          -----           ------     
          Total stockholders
            equity                        148,267       422,604         40,150          611,021
                                          -------       -------         ------          -------
           Total liabilities and
            stockholders' equity      $   883,704    $  793,949     $   22,560      $ 1,700,213
                                      ===========    ==========     ==========      ===========
</TABLE>

                          See the accompanying notes.

                                       12
<PAGE>


               NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

                                  JUNE 30, 1997
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      The purchase price of Ashland Coal and allocation of purchase price are as
follows:
<S>                                                                <C>


Ashland Coal common stock  outstanding at June 30, 1997
  (including  Ashland Coal preferred stock, as if
  converted in the Merger)                                                18,643 
Purchase price per share                                             $     24.50(12)
                                                                        --------
Purchase price of Ashland Coal                                          $456,754
Fair value of options                                                      6,000
Transaction related fees                                                   4,500
                                                                        --------
Total purchase price                                                   $467,254
                                                                        ========

Historical net book value of Ashland Coal at June 30, 1997              $422,604
Adjustments for valuing Ashland Coal assets and liabilities:
Prepaid royalties                                                        (59,008)
Deferred income taxes                                                    (28,547)
Other assets                                                             (10,046)
Coal supply agreements                                                    96,325
Property, plant and equipment                                             36,526
Long-term debt (current and noncurrent)                                  (20,100)
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pensions                       28,567
Other long-term liabilities                                                  933
                                                                        --------
Total purchase price                                                    $467,254
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>


1)  To adjust prepaid  royalties,  property,  plant and  equipment,  coal supply
    agreements and  other  long-term  assets,   including   interest  rate  swap
    agreements to their estimated fair value.  A substantial portion of the
    excess purchase  price  has  been allocated  to  coal  reserves  principally
    because of higher  productivities  and technological  advances that occurred
    since the acquisition of the coal reserves  combined with the expectation of
    increased  values of compliance and low-sulfur coal due to the Clean Air Act
    Amendments.  The value assigned to coal supply agreements is associated with
    contracts signed in earlier years when spot market prices were higher versus
    the current spot market prices.

2)  To  record  deferred income  taxes for the book and tax  differences  of the
    purchase  accounting adjustments,  and to reflect  the  reclassification  of
    deferred income tax liability to deferred income tax asset.

3)  To record transaction related fees.

4)  To adjust long-term debt to estimated fair value based  on  current interest
    rates.

5)  To adjust the liability for  postretirement  benefits other than pensions to
    equal the accumulated projected benefit obligation.

6)  To eliminate the deferred  gain on sale and leaseback of assets ($2,119) and
    to increase the pension liability  ($1,186) to equal the  projected  benefit
    obligation in excess of plan assets.

7)  To reflect the conversion of preferred stock to common stock.

8)  To reflect  the  elimination  of $138 of Ashland  Coal  common  tock and the
    addition of common  stock  issued by the Company (18,643  shares at $.01 per
    share).

                                       13
<PAGE>

9)  To reflect the elimination  of $110,042 of Ashland Coal paid-in  capital and
    the addition of paid-in  capital resulting from the common stock and options
    issued by the Company totaling $462,567.

10) To eliminate retained earnings.

11) To eliminate treasury stock.

12) Represents the average market price of Ashland Coal common stock for several
    days before and after March 25,  1997,  the date the  parties  agreed to the
    purchase price.


                                       14
<PAGE>


ARCH COAL, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
(In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Arch
                                      Mineral      Ashland        Purchase
                                     Corporation     Coal         Accounting       Pro Forma
                                     Historical    Historical     Adjustments      Combined
                                    ------------   -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>  

REVENUES
  Coal sales
  Other revenues                       $ 383,286    $ 315,801    $      --         $ 699,087
                                          10,290        7,038           --            17,328
                                          ------        -----         -----           ------
                                         393,576      322,839    $      --           716,415

COSTS AND EXPENSES
  Cost  of coal sales                    340,925      268,851        1,174  (1)      610,950
  Selling, general and                     
    administrative expenses                8,197       12,423          --             20,620
  Amortization of coal supply           
   agreements                              4,200        2,139        6,966  (2)       13,305
 Other expenses                            7,645        5,831          --             13,476
                                           -----        -----        -----            ------
                                         360,967      289,244        8,140           658,351
                                         -------      -------        -----           -------
Income from operations                    32,609       33,595       (8,140)           58,064

Interest Expense, Net:
  Interest expense                        (6,792)      (8,168)       2,478  (3)      (12,482)
  Interest income                            535          166          --                701
                                             ---          ---        -----               ---
                                          (6,257)      (8,002)       2,478           (11,781)
                                          ------       ------        -----           ------- 



Income before income taxes                26,352       25,593       (5,662)          46,283
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes       4,200        3,415       (2,208) (4)       5,407  (5)
                                           -----        -----       ------            ----- 
Net Income                                22,152       22,178       (3,454)          40,876
Dividends on preferred stock                --         (1,400)       1,400  (6)          --
                                           ----        ------        -----             ----             
Income applicable to common stock      $  22,152    $  20,778    $  (2,054)       $  40,876
                                       =========    =========    =========        =========

Earnings per common share
        Primary                          $  1.06     $    1.20                    $    1.03
                                         =======     =========                    =========
        Fully diluted                    $  1.06     $    1.17                    $    1.03
                                         =======     =========                    =========
                                                                  

Average common shares outstanding        $20,948      $  18,105 (7)               $  39,660  (8) 
                                         =======      =========                   =========   
</TABLE>
                                                   


                                  See the accompanying notes.


                                       15

                                       
<PAGE>




ARCH COAL, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
TWEVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                       Arch
                                      Mineral      Ashland        Purchase
                                     Corporation     Coal         Accounting         Pro Forma
                                     Historical    Historical     Adjustments         Combined
                                    ------------   -----------   -------------       -----------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>           <C>                  <C>  

REVENUES
  Coal sales                          $ 750,123      $ 565,174     $    --              $1,315,297
  Other revenues                         25,682        12,030           --                  37,712                 
                                       --------      --------         -----             ----------              
                                        775,805       577,204           --               1,353,009
                                                               

COSTS AND EXPENSES
  Cost  of coal sales                   667,878       508,960         2,346  (1)         1,179,184
  Selling, general and                  
   administrative expenses               20,435        23,078           --                  43,513  
Amortization of coal supply                       
  agreements                             12,604         3,786        13,933  (2)            30,323
Other expenses                           18,776         9,559           --                  28,335
                                       --------       -------       -------              ---------
                                        719,693       545,383        16,279              1,281,355    
                                       --------       -------       -------              ---------       
Income from operations                   56,112        31,821       (16,279)                71,654          

Interest Expense, Net:
  Interest expense                      (18,783)      (17,905)        4,957  (3)           (31,731)
  Interest income                         1,191           417           --                   1,608
                                        -------       --------       ------               --------
                                        (17,592)      (17,488)        4,957                (30,123)                      
                                        -------       --------       ------               --------                                  
Income before income taxes               38,520        14,333       (11,322)                41,531
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes      5,500        (2,180)       (4,415) (4)            (1,095) (5)
                                          -----        ------        ------                 ------       
Net Income                               33,020        16,513        (6,907)                42,626                              
Dividends on preferred stock                --         (2,810)        2,810  (6)               --
                                         ------        ------         -----                   ----     
Income applicable to common stock     $  33,020      $ 13,703      $ (4,097)            $   42,626                           
                                      =========      ========      ========             ==========          
Earnings per common share
        Primary                       $    1.58      $   0.87                           $     1.07
                                      =========      ========                           ==========
        Fully diluted                 $    1.58      $   0.86                           $     1.07
                                      =========      ========                           ==========        
Average common shares outstanding        20,948        18,105 (7)                           39,660  (8)
                                         ======        ======                             ========   


</TABLE>

                 See the accompanying notes.
                       
                                       16


<PAGE>


           NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

1)  To record net charges  associated  with  adjusting the fair value of prepaid
    royalties,  property,  plant and equipment,  and other assets.  Additions to
    property,  plant and equipment,  including  coal reserves,  is assumed to be
    depreciated or depleted over 15 years.
 
2)  To record net charges associated with  adjusting  the  fair  value  of  coal
    supply agreements with an average life of approximately seven years.

3)  To record  the  reduction  in  interest expense  on $152.9  million of fixed
    long-term debt to reflect  current market interest rates (6.75% current rate
    versus  average  9.75%  stated  rate) and a  reduction  in  amortization  of
    deferred debt issuance cost.

4)  To  record the tax effect of 39% of the pro forma adjustments.  The tax rate
    of 39% represents the combined federal and state statutory rates.

5)  The effective  tax rate is  substantially  less  than 39%  primarily  due to
    benefits derived from percentage depletion.

6)  To eliminate dividends related to the Ashland Coal preferred stock.

7)  Assumes conversion of preferred stock at a rate of 18,346 per share.

8) Shares  outstanding  include 20,948 of Company shares outstanding as adjusted
   for the stock split,  18,643 shares  issued to acquire  Ashland Coal assuming
   conversion  of  preferred  stock at a rate of 20,500  per share and 69 shares
   related to stock options that are dilutive.


                                       17
<PAGE>

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Reference is made to the  "Contingencies,"  "Certain  Risk Factors" and "Factors
Routinely  Affecting Results of Operations"  sections below in this Management's
Discussion  and Analysis for  discussion  of important  factors that could cause
actual  results  to  differ  from  the  projections,   expectations,  and  other
non-historical information contained herein.

Merger with Ashland Coal

On July 1, 1997, the Company acquired Ashland Coal in the Merger. The Merger was
accounted  for  as  a  purchase,   and  resulted  in  Ashland  Coal  becoming  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the  Company.  Pursuant to the  Merger,  holders of
Ashland  Coal common stock  received one share of Company  common stock for each
share of Ashland Coal common stock held by them,  and each holder of outstanding
Ashland Coal Class B and C preferred  stock  received  20,500  shares of Company
common  stock  for  each  share of  preferred  stock  held by  them.  A total of
18,660,052 shares of Company common stock was issued in the Merger.

At the time of the Merger,  Ashland  Coal was engaged in the mining,  processing
and  marketing of low-sulfur  bituminous  coal  primarily in the eastern  United
States. Its independent operating  subsidiaries  included Coal-Mac,  Inc., Hobet
Mining,  Inc.  (Hobet),  Mingo Logan Coal Company  (Mingo  Logan) and  Tri-State
Terminals,  Inc.  Ashland Coal produced 20.5 million tons of coal in 1996 and at
December  31,  1996,  controlled  approximately  615 million  tons of proven and
probable  low-sulfur  coal  reserves  in  southern  West  Virginia  and  eastern
Kentucky.

Prior to the Merger, Ashland  Inc.  owned 50% of the voting stock of the Company
and stock  representing  approximately  57% of the voting power of Ashland Coal.
Ashland  Inc. currently  owns  approximately  54% of the  Company's  outstanding
common stock.  In addition,  various trusts for the benefit of descendants of H.
L. and Lyda Hunt and  various  corporations owned by trusts  for the  benefit of
descendants  of H. L. and  Lyda  Hunt  own  approximately  25% of the  Company's
outstanding  stock,  Carboex  International, Ltd. owns  approximately  5% of the
Company's  outstanding  stock, and the balance of the Company's  common stock is
owned by the public.

Results of Operations

Quarter Ended June 30, 1997, Compared
    to Quarter Ended June 30, 1996

Net income for the quarter  ended June 30, 1997 was $11.7  million,  compared to
net income of $5.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.  Results for the
quarter ended June 30, 1997 included  three unusual  adjustments  resulting in a
favorable  impact to earnings  of $1.2  million  ($.7  million  after tax).  The
adjustments   included  a  $4.2  million   favorable   adjustment   to  workers'
compensation  reserves due to better than anticipated safety performance offset,
in  part,  by  non-recurring   charges  of  $1.5  million  associated  with  the
impoundment  discharge at Lone Mountain  which occurred in the fourth quarter of
1996, and $1.5 million for the settlement of the Trail Mountain lawsuit.


                                       18
<PAGE>

Gross profit on coal sales (selling price less cost of sales) on a per ton basis
increased  $.37 per ton from the  second  quarter  of  1996.  The  increase  was
primarily  due to lower cost at the  Company's  Lone  Mountain  operation  which
experienced  adverse  geologic  conditions  in the  comparable  period  in 1996,
including mining through a sandstone channel.

Selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  $1.4  million  due
principally  to a $.7  million  adjustment  related  to  reducing  the  workers'
compensation reserve and a $.5 million reduction in employee benefit costs.

Other revenue  increased $.4 million from the quarter ended June 30, 1996 due to
increased  royalty  income.  This  increase  was  offset,  in part,  by  reduced
transloading income from dock operations.

Amortization of coal supply agreements decreased $.9 million from the comparable
period in 1996, due  principally to certain sales contract being fully amortized
at the end of 1996.

The increase in other expenses was associated with a charge of $1.5 million in a
final settlement of the Trail Mountain lawsuit.

Interest expense decreased $1.5 million due to lower debt levels,  generally and
the paydown of higher-cost fixed debt.

The  Company's  income tax rate for the  quarter  was lower than the  comparable
period in 1996  because  the  company  had  lowered  its 1997  estimated  annual
effective  tax rate from 20 percent in the  quarter  ended March 31, 1997 to the
current  estimate of 16 percent.  The  estimated  annual  effective tax rate was
lowered  because  of  new  estimates  for  1997   profitability  and  percentage
depletion.  The  effective  tax rate is  sensitive  to changes in  profitability
because of the effects of percentage depletion.

EBITDA  (income  from  operations  before the  effects of changes in  accounting
principles  and  extraordinary  items,  net  interest  expense,   income  taxes,
depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization)  was $45.9  million for the quarter
ended June 30,  1997  compared to $36.4  million for the same  quarter to a year
ago. EBITDA is a widely accepted  financial  indicator of a company's ability to
incur and service  debt.  EBITDA  should not be considered in isolation or as an
alternative to net income,  operating income, cash flows from operations or as a
measure of a company's  profitability,  liquidity or performance under generally
accepted accounting principles.  This measure of EBITDA may not be comparable to
similar measures reported by other companies.



                                       19
<PAGE>

Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 Compared
    to Six Months Ended June 30, 1996

Net income was $22.2  million for the six months ended June 30, 1997 compared to
net income of $12.8  million  for the six months  ended June 30,  1996.  The six
month period included  several  adjustments  that netted to a favorable  pre-tax
impact to earnings of $1.4 million after-tax.  These adjustments included a $4.2
million  decrease  to the  workers'  compensation  reserve  due to  better  than
anticipated  safety  performance,  a $3.3  million  decrease  in the accrual for
reclamation  and mine  closure  at its  Illinois  operations  due to a change in
permit  requirements,  largely offset by  non-recurring  charges of $4.6 million
associated with the impoundment  discharge at Lone Mountain and $1.5 million for
the settlement of the Trail Mountain lawsuit.

Gross profit on coal sales (selling price less cost of sales) on a per ton basis
increased  $.09 per ton due  primarily  to lower  costs  at the  Company's  Lone
Mountain  operation  which  experienced   adverse  geologic  conditions  in  the
comparable  period of 1996,  and  higher  production  from the Arch of  Illinois
operations,  offset in part by  higher  ratios  and  higher  operating  costs at
Cumberland  River Coal  Company's  Pardee  operation and Catenary Coal Company's
Samples operation.

Other revenues  increased $.9 million primarily the same factors that applied to
the increase of other revenues in the second quarter.

Selling,   general  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  $1.1  million  due
principally  to  an  adjustment  to  the  workers'  compensation  reserve  and a
reduction in employee benefit costs and lower legal and professional charges.

Amortization of coal supply agreements decreased $1.6 million due primarily to a
sales contract being fully amortized at the end of 1996 and the  rescheduling of
certain other shipments.

Interest  expense  declined $3.0 million due to lower debt levels  generally and
the payment of higher-cost fixed debt.

The Company's income tax expense approximates 1996 levels despite higher pre-tax
income.  The  lower  estimated  effective  tax  rate for 1997 is due to a higher
estimate of percentage depletion relative to pre-tax income.

EBITDA for the six months  ended June 30, 1997 was $90.4  million as compared to
$76.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.








                                       20
<PAGE>

Balance Sheets

Inventories  were $6.6  million  higher at June 30,  1997,  than at December 31,
1996. This increase is primarily related to an increase in coal inventory levels
resulting  from  unseasonably  cool  spring  and  early  summer  weather  and in
anticipation of the scheduled two week miners' vacation in July.

Accounts payable at June 30, 1997 were $13.7 million higher than at December 31,
1996 because of increased production levels and normal seasonal fluctuations and
$12.5 million in payables related to the Kayford James reserve acquisition.

Long-term debt  decreased  $30.5 million from the December 31, 1996 level due to
scheduled  payments of the senior notes and a $15 million  reduction in the 1994
Revolving Credit Agreement.

The balance of accrued  workers  compensation  has declined  $5.6 million  since
December 31, 1996 primarily due to a favorable adjustment of $4.2 million due to
a better than anticipated safety performance.

Outlook

The Merger was  effective  July 1, 1997,  and,  as a  consequence,  the  Company
anticipates  recording  a one-time  charge in the third  quarter  related to the
Merger,  which  charge  will  include  severance  costs  and the  write  down of
duplicate  facilities.  Although the Company anticipates  significant  synergies
will begin to accrue as a result of the Merger in the second half of 1997 and in
1998,  several events are anticipated  that will materially and adversely affect
the  Company's  results in the second half of 1997 and in the first half of 1998
when such results are compared to the pro forma combined  results of the Company
and Ashland Coal in the first half of 1997.

The most  significant  event is the  expiration of the Company's  long-term coal
supply  contract with Georgia Power in December  1997.  The Company is currently
supplying 1.9 million tons of low-sulfur  coal per year under this contract from
its Lone Mountain and Cumberland  River  operations and from third parties.  The
prices for coal shipped under this contract are significantly  above the current
open market price of such coal. For the six months ended June 30, 1997,  5.5% of
the  Company's  pro forma  combined  revenues and 13% of its pro forma  combined
operating  income (prior to purchase  accounting  adjustments)  related to sales
under this contract, and the impact of its expiration may be disproportionate to
the percentage of total  production  represented by the tonnage  delivered under
the contract.  After  expiration  of the current  Georgia  Power  contract,  the
Company  expects to continue to supply a significant  amount of similar  quality
coal to Georgia Power at less favorable prices.

Another  significant event is the anticipated  depletion of the longwall reserve
base at Apogee Coal  Company's Arch of Kentucky Mine No. 37 in the third quarter
of  1997.   Production   from  Mine  No.  37  accounted  for  $10.1  million  or
approximately  15.2% of the Company's pro forma combined operating income (prior
to purchase accounting adjustments) in the first six months of 1997. After

                                       21
<PAGE>


exhaustion of the longwall  reserves,  the decrease in operating  profit will be
mitigated  to some degree by the  continued  operation of two  continuous  miner
sections and may be further offset by the development of an underground  mine in
the Darby seam that is in close proximity to the Cave Branch  Preparation  Plant
(currently  used to  process  Mine No.  37  coal).  Upon the  exhaustion  of the
longwall reserves,  the Company does not expect any impairment of assets used to
mine those  reserves as the estimated  useful life of the related assets expires
at the time the reserves are depleted.

Other  adverse  developments  anticipated  in the  second  half of 1997  include
increased  costs at the Hobet 21 mine as a result of maintenance on the dragline
at that operation.  This maintenance,  originally scheduled in the third quarter
of 1998, is expected to take the dragline out of operation for  approximately 45
days. In addition, the dragline at Hobet's Dal-Tex mining complex is moving into
an area of relatively  higher  overburden  ratios than  experienced in the first
half of 1997,  which move will  result in reduced  production  and may result in
higher cost per ton.

In  the  second  half  of  1997,  $5.4  million  of  the  original  $50  million
unrecognized  net gain  realized in 1993 upon changes in discount  rates,  black
lung benefit cost rates,  rebates and other  assumptions used in the calculation
of  pneumoconiosis  (black lung)  liabilities  will be credited  against cost of
goods sold. This gain will be fully amortized by the end of 1997.

Results in the second half of 1997  should be  favorably  affected by  increased
income from the  Company's Ark Land  subsidiary's  ongoing  third-party  leasing
efforts  and sales of surplus  property,  and by reduced  interest  expense as a
result of lower debt levels in general and the  refinancing of long-term debt at
more favorable rates.

Other  operational  factors are expected to improve  results in the longer term.
The poor roof conditions  experienced at Lone Mountain's Huff Creek mine in 1996
and the  first  half of 1997  caused by over  mining in the Darby  Fork Mine are
improving.  Beginning  in the second  quarter of 1997,  the Company made certain
revisions  to its  mining  plan to align  mine  works in the Huff  Creek mine to
accommodate  in-seam  stresses and to better  coordinate  the mine plan with the
Darby Fork mine plan. As a result of these changes, the Company expects the roof
conditions  at the Huff  Creek mine to improve  substantially  beginning  in the
third quarter of 1997. Nevertheless, if the adverse geologic conditions continue
longer than expected,  or worsen,  production  from the mine could be reduced or
curtailed,  production  and yield could continue to be adversely  affected,  and
costs  could  continue  to be high  or  increase  to the  point  that  continued
operation of the mine is uneconomic.

Similarly,  the geologic  conditions at Lone Mountain's  Darby Fork Mine (in the
form  of  sandstone  intrusions  in  the  coal  seam  which  resulted  in  lower
productivity,  lower yields and lower productivity levels during 1996 and in the
first  half  of  1997)  are  also  improving.  The  Company  believes  that  its
exploration  efforts  have  accurately  identified  and  located  the  sandstone
intrusions,  and that the adverse  geologic  conditions will abate in the fourth
quarter of 1997, at which time productivity, yield, and production levels should
improve  dramatically.  Nevertheless,  like Huff  Creek,  should  these  adverse
geologic  conditions continue longer than expected,  or worsen,  production from
the mine could be reduced or curtailed, productivity and yield could continue to
be  adversely  affected,  and cost could  continue to be high or increase to the
point that  continued  operation of the mine is  uneconomic.  

In April 1997,  theCompany  completed an acquisition of certain surface mineable
reserves adjacent to its Samples mine. The acquisition included 9.6 million tons
of lower-ratio and higher-quality


                                       22
<PAGE>

surface  mineable coal than coal currently being mined at the Samples mine. As a
result,  operating  costs at the Samples  mine are  expected to decrease in 1998
compared to the first half of 1997.

Further, in the first half of 1997,  production from the Archveyor mining system
at Arch of Wyoming was adversely  affected by a fire and the consequent delay in
deployment of a new, more technologically advanced continuous miner purchased by
the  Company.   In  1998,  the  Company  believes   Archveyor   production  will
significantly  increase  compared to 1997,  and that as a consequence  operating
income will also increase.

A second unit of underground mining equipment was deployed at Pardee's Band Mill
mine at the end of March  1997.  Production  levels  and costs are  expected  to
improve in 1998 when  compared  to  expected  1997  levels due to a full  year's
production and increased  productivity  from deployment of the second  equipment
section.

Mining  costs  at Arch  of West  Virginia's  Wylo  mine  also  are  expected  to
significantly improve in 1998 compared to those expected in 1997, and overburden
ratios and mining costs at Arch of West Virginia's  Ruffner mine are expected to
improve in 1999 when compared to 1997 and 1998 costs.

Finally,  changes in transportation rates could also significantly influence the
Company's  1998 and 1999 results.  CSX  Corporation  (CSX) and Norfolk  Southern
Corporation (NS) are major railroads in the eastern United States which together
transport  most of the coal sold by the  Company.  CSX and NS agreed to  acquire
Conrail Inc.  (Conrail),  another major railroad,  whose primary service area is
the Northeastern  United States, and have divided Conrail's assets between them.
Costs of the  reconstituted  CSX and NS may be somewhat  lower than the costs of
those  railroads  prior to the  acquisition.  If lower  costs are  realized  and
freight rates are lowered as a  consequence,  the coal of some  producers  could
become less costly on a delivered basis and therefore gain competitive advantage
in some markets. It is not possible to predict with certainty the effects of the
division of Conrail on interregional competition and, specifically,  the effects
on the Company.

In 1995, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation."
SFAS  No.  123  encourages,   but  does  not  require,  companies  to  recognize
compensation  expense  related  to the  grants  of  stock or  stock  options  to
employees  under plans such as the Company's  Stock  Incentive  Plan.  Companies
choosing  not to adopt SFAS No. 123 will  continue  to account  for such  grants
using the accounting  prescribed by Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB25), but will be required to make
certain  disclosures about their plans in their year-end  financial  statements,
including pro forma net income and earnings per share under the new method.  The
Company has elected to continue to follow APB25 for expense  recognition  and to
make the disclosures  required by SFAS No. 123.  Accordingly,  SFAS No. 123 will
have no effect on the Company's earnings or financial position.






                                       23
<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated
types of activities during the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996:

                                    1997              1996
                                -----------        ----------
                                      (In thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
    Operating activities         $72,313           $63,804
    Investing activities         (34,692)          (40,846)
    Financing activities         (35,015)          (30,184)

Cash provided by operating  activities increased in the first six months of 1997
from the level in the same period of 1996 due  primarily  to recording an option
payable for an acquisition of surface mineable  reserves adjacent to the Samples
Mine, more than offset by increases in coal inventories and tax payments related
to prior year audits.

The decrease in cash used for  investing  activities  in the first six months of
1997 when compared to the same period in 1996 primarily reflects reduced capital
expenditures at the Lone Mountain  operations ($3.9 million) relating  primarily
to the conveyor  development in 1996; and at the Pardee operation ($2.9 million)
relating to Band Mill mine development in 1996 and the design and fabrication of
the Conant  Archveyor.  Acquisition  expenditures  for 1996  included  the $14.2
million  Carbon Basin  reserve,  while the  expenditures  for 1997  included the
Kayford James reserve acquisition for $17.0 million.

Cash used in financing  activities  reflects  comparable  net reductions in debt
levels and an increase in dividend payments of $4.5 million.

The Company has  historically  satisfied its working capital  requirements,  its
capital   expenditures   (excluding  major   acquisitions)  and  scheduled  debt
repayments from its operating cash flow. Cash  requirements  for the acquisition
of new business  operations  have generally been funded through a combination of
cash generated from operating activities, utilization of the Company's revolving
credit facility and the issuance of long-term obligations.  The Company believes
that cash generated from  operations  will continue to be sufficient to meet its
working  capital  requirements,  planned  or  anticipated  capital  expenditures
(excluding major acquisitions) and scheduled debt repayments. The Company had an
unsecured  revolving  credit  agreement with a group of banks which provided for
borrowings of up to $200 million.  In conjunction  with the Merger,  the Company
entered into a new $500 million  revolving  credit  agreement and terminated the
$200 million facility. The new revolving credit agreement has a five year term.

On August 1, 1997,  the  Company  redeemed  previously  issued  senior  notes by
Ashland  Coal with a  principal  balance of $152.9  million  for $170.7  million
including  accrued  interest.   The  redemption  amount  included  a  make-whole
provision  based upon current  market rates with  similar  maturities.  The note
redemptions  were  financed  with  proceeds  from the Company's new $500 million
revolving credit facility.


                                       24
<PAGE>

Contingencies

Reclamation


The Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and similar state
statutes  require that mine  property be restored in accordance  with  specified
standards and an approved reclamation plan. The Company accrues for the costs of
final mine closure  reclamation  over the  estimated  useful  mining life of the
property.  These  costs  relate to  reclaiming  the pit and  support  acreage at
surface  mines and  sealing  portals at deep mines.  Other costs  common to both
types of mining are related to reclaiming  refuse and slurry ponds.  The Company
accrues for current mine disturbance which will be reclaimed prior to final mine
closure.

The  establishment  of the final  mine  closure  reclamation  liability  and the
current  disturbance  is based upon permit  requirements  and  requires  various
estimates and assumptions, principally associated with costs and productivities.
The Company  accrued $3.5 million and $6.1 million for the six months ended June
30, 1997 and for the twelve  months ended  December 31, 1996,  respectively  for
current and final mine closure reclamation. Cash payments for final mine closure
reclamation and current disturbances  approximated $3.2 million and $9.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and for the twelve months ended  December
31, 1996, respectively.

The  Company  reviews  its entire  environmental  liability  annually  and makes
necessary  adjustments,  including  permit  changes and  revisions  to costs and
productivity's to reflect current  experience.  These recosting  adjustments are
recorded to cost of coal sales.  Favorable  adjustments  total $3.3  million and
$4.5  million for the six months  ended June 30, 1997 and for the twelve  months
ended December 31, 1996,  respectively.  The Company's management believes it is
making  adequate  provisions  for  all  expected  reclamation  and  other  costs
associated with mine closures.

Mine closing costs for  operations as of June 30, 1997,  in the  aggregate,  are
estimated to be  approximately  $98  million.  At June 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996,  the accrual for closing costs,  which is included in accrued  reclamation
and mine closure was $93.0 million and $90.3 million, respectively.

Legal Contingencies

The Company is a party to numerous  claims and lawsuits  with respect to various
matters.  The Company  provides for costs  related to  contingencies,  including
environmental  matters,  when a loss is  probable  and the amount is  reasonably
determinable. The Company estimates that its probable aggregate loss as a result
of such claims is $1.9 million (included in Other Noncurrent  Liabilities) as of
June 30, 1997.  The Company  estimates that its  reasonably  possible  aggregate
losses from all currently  pending  litigation  could be as much as $1.0 million
(before  taxes) in excess of the probable loss  previously  recognized.  After
conferring  with  counsel,  it is the opinion of  management  that the  ultimate
resolution of these claims, to the extent not previously  provided for, will not
have a material adverse effect on the consolidated  financial position,  results
of operations, or liquidity of the Company.

In May 1997,  the Company made a payment of $3.3 million to the State of Utah in
final  settlement of the Trail Mountain  lawsuit.  The $3.3 million  payment was
$1.5 million more than the $1.8 million the Company had reserved as of March 31,
1997, as the probable loss associated with this lawsuit. The Company recorded an
expense of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 1997 related to the settlement.

                                       25
<PAGE>

On October 24, 1996, the rock strata  overlaying an old,  abandoned  underground
mine adjacent to the coal-refuse impoundment used by the Company's Lone Mountain
mine failed,  resulting in an accidental  discharge of approximately 6.3 million
gallons of water and fine coal slurry into a  tributary  of the Powell  River in
Lee County,  Virginia.  This  discharge  resulted in the death of  approximately
11,500 fish, according to estimates of the Virginia Department of Game in Inland
Fisheries.  Following the  discharge,  personnel at Lone Mountain  began working
with agencies of the  Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States to identify
the long-term effects,  if any, to fish, other organisms and the aquatic habitat
of the Powell  River  system.  Small  quantities  of sediment  were removed from
stream beds,  although the majority of material has been resuspended and carried
downstream.  Lone  Mountain  has  committed  to monitor and  evaluate the stream
conditions  for two years in order to  accurately  determine  the effects of the
discharge.

On January 29,  1997,  the  Director of the State  Water  Control  Board and the
Department of Mines,  Minerals and Energy of the  Commonwealth of Virginia filed
suit in Lee  County  Virginia  Circuit  Court  against  Lone  Mountain  alleging
violations  of  effluent   limitations  and  reporting   violations  under  Lone
Mountain's  NPDES permits.  Lone Mountain and the  Commonwealth of Virginia have
entered  into a settlement  agreement to resolve all matters  arising out of the
discharge.  Pursuant to the  settlement  agreement,  Lone  Mountain will pay the
Commonwealth  approximately $1.4 million. In return two notices of violation and
a show cause order were vacated.

The proposed  settlement  agreement was published on June 9, 1997,  and a public
comment period of 30 days commenced.  The Virginia  Coalfield  Regional  Tourism
Development  Authority has sought to intervene in the lawsuit,  and has objected
to the  settlement  only  with  respect  to  the  proposed  expenditures  of the
settlement  fund. No other terms of the settlement  have been  challenged.  In a
hearing  conducted on August 13, 1997,  the Circuit Court of Lee County  ordered
the Tourism  Authority to prepare any pleadings  necessary to present the issues
it plans to  present  to the  court  for  decision.  The  Commonwealth  and Lone
Mountain must respond to those pleadings by September 12, 1997. Thereafter,  the
court will either  accept the legal  challenge to the  settlement  agreement and
schedule  further  hearings,  or  will  dismiss  the  challenge  and  enter  the
settlement  as a  final  order  of the  court.  Upon  entry  by the  court,  the
settlement  will  discharge  all civil claims  alleging  into the state's  civil
action of January 29, 1997.

At the request of the U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife  Service,  the United  States  Attorney  for the  Western  District  of
Virginia  has  undertaken  a  criminal   investigation  of  the  incident.   The
conclusions  of this  investigation  are not expected  until 1998.  On March 19,
1997,  Lone  Mountain  received a subpoena to produce  documents  and to testify
before a federal  grand jury.  The subpoena  seeks the  production  of documents
related to the design and approval of the impoundment. All documents relevant to
the subpoena have been  identified.  The final delivery of documents is expected
in August, 1997. During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Company recorded
expenses  related  to the  Lone  Mountain  impoundment  totaling  $4.6  million,
including a provision for the $1.4 million  settlement  described above, and for
costs to reconstruct the impoundment.

The  Company's  federal  income tax returns for the years 1992  through 1994 are
currently  under  review by the  Internal  Revenue  Service  (IRS).  The IRS has
completed its  examinations of the Company's  federal income tax returns for the
years  ended  1987,  1988 and 1989 and the  proposed  adjustments  which  relate
principally   to   business   acquisitions,   asset   dispositions,    corporate
reorganizations,  percentage  depletion and  investment tax credits during those
years.  As a result,  the IRS has  proposed  additional  taxes  aggregating  $50
million plus interest to the date of payment.  


                                       26
<PAGE>

After an analysis of the proposed  adjustments  by management  with tax counsel,
the Company  paid $8.0  million in 1994 to the IRS and filed a protest  with the
IRS contesting  certain  adjustments.  Management  believes that the Company has
adequately  provided  for any  income  taxes  and  related  interest  which  may
ultimately be paid on contested  issues.  On April 30, 1997, the Company made an
additional $8 million  deposit to the IRS which was charged against a previously
established reserve.

Certain Risk Factors

Credit risk - The Company markets its coal principally to electric  utilities in
the United States. As a group,  electric  utilities  generally are stable,  well
capitalized entities with favorable credit ratings.  Credit is extended based on
an evaluation of each  customer's  financial  condition,  and  collateral is not
generally required. Credit losses have consistently been minimal.

Price  risk - Selling  prices  for the  Company's  products  are  determined  by
long-term contracts and the spot market. Selling prices in many of the Company's
long-term  contracts  are  subject to  adjustment,  including  changes in market
conditions.  Falling  market prices raise the price risk under these  contracts.
Spot prices fluctuate  primarily  because of changes in demand for and supply of
coal. Demand for coal in the short term is primarily driven by changes in demand
for electricity in the areas serviced by the utilities  purchasing the Company's
coal.  Demand for electricity in turn depends on the level of economic  activity
and other factors such as prolonged temperature extremes.  The supply of coal in
the spot  market  has  historically  been most  affected  by  excess  productive
capacity in the industry and short-term disruptions,  frequently  labor-related.
The coal  industry is highly  competitive,  and Arch Coal  competes with a large
number of other  coal  producers.  Factors  such as the  availability  of sulfur
dioxide emissions  allowances issued by the EPA, utility  deregulation,  and new
clean air regulations have had, or will have, the effect of further intensifying
competition  between  producers in the eastern United  States,  and producers in
other regions,  including other  countries.  Producers in some of those regions,
because of geological  conditions,  local labor costs,  or access to inexpensive
transportation  modes, are able to produce and deliver coal into some markets at
a lower cost than the Company.  These competitive  factors have an impact on the
Company's pricing.

Arch Coal's operating  subsidiaries purchase substantial amounts of power, fuel,
and  supplies,  generally  under  purchase  orders at current  market  prices or
purchase agreements of relatively short duration.

The  employees  of Apogee's and Hobet's  operations  are covered by the National
Bituminous  Coal Wage  Agreement of 1993 (Wage  Agreement),  which  provides for
certain wage rates and benefits.  Employees of other operating  subsidiaries are
not covered by a union contract but are compensated at rates  representative  of
prevailing  wage rates in the local area.  Among factors  influencing  such wage
rates is the Wage Agreement.

Although the Company cannot predict  changes in its costs of production and coal
prices  with  certainty,  Arch  Coal  believes  that  in  the  current  economic
environment of low to moderate inflation,


                                       27
<PAGE>

the price adjustment  provisions in its long-term  contracts will largely offset
changes in the costs of providing coal under those  contracts,  except for those
costs related to changes in  productivity.  Further,  because  levels of general
price  inflation  are  closely  linked  to levels of  economic  activity,  it is
expected  that  changes in costs of  producing  coal for the spot  market may be
offset in part by changes in spot coal  prices.  The  Company  attempts to limit
exposure to  depressed  spot market  prices  which  result  from  industry  over
capacity by entering into long-term  coal supply  agreements,  which  ordinarily
provide for prices in excess of spot market prices. In the event of a disruption
of supply,  the Company might,  depending on the level of its sales commitments,
benefit  from  higher  spot  prices if its own mines  were not  affected  by the
disruption.

Interest  rate  risk - Arch  Coal  has  significant  debt  which  is  linked  to
short-term interest rates. If interest rates rise, Arch Coal's costs relative to
those  obligations  would also rise.  Because an increase  in interest  rates is
usually  an  outgrowth  of a  higher  level of  economic  activity  and  because
increased economic activity would likely lead to a higher demand for electricity
and  consequently  to higher spot prices for coal,  Arch Coal  believes that the
negative  effects of higher  interest  rates on Arch  Coal's  earnings  could be
partially  offset,  depending on the level of its sales commitments at the time,
by higher spot prices.

Factors Routinely Affecting Results of Operations

The  Company  sells a  substantial  portion of its coal  production  pursuant to
long-term  coal  supply   agreements,   and  as  a  consequence  may  experience
fluctuations in operating results in the future, both on an annual and quarterly
basis,   as  a  result  of  expiration  or   termination   of,  or  sales  price
redeterminations   or  suspensions  of  deliveries   under,   such  coal  supply
agreements.  In addition, price adjustment provisions permit a periodic increase
or  decrease  in the  contract  price to  reflect  increases  and  decreases  in
production  costs,  changes in specified price indices or items such as taxes or
royalties.   Price  reopener  provisions  provide  for  an  upward  or  downward
adjustment in the contract price based on market factors,  and from time to time
the Company has  renegotiated  contracts after execution to extend contract term
or to  accommodate  changing  market  conditions.  The contracts  also typically
include stringent minimum and maximum coal quality specifications and penalty or
termination  provisions for failure to meet such  specifications,  force majeure
provisions  allowing  suspension of  performance  or  termination by the parties
during the duration of certain events beyond the control of the affected  party,
and some  long-term  contracts  contain  provisions  that  permit the utility to
terminate the contract if changes in the law make it illegal or  uneconomic  for
the utility to consume  the  Company's  coal.  Imposition  of new nitrous  oxide
emissions limits in


                                       28
<PAGE>


connection  with Phase II of the Clean Air Act in 2000 could  result in affected
utilities  seeking  to  terminate  or modify  long-term  contracts  citing  such
termination  provisions.  If the  parties to any  long-term  contracts  with the
Company were to modify, suspend or terminate those contracts,  the Company could
be  adversely  affected  to the  extent  that it is unable  to find  alternative
customers at the same or better level of profitability.

From time to time,  disputes with customers may arise under long-term  contracts
relating to, among other things, coal quality, pricing and quantity. The Company
may thus become  involved in  arbitration  and legal  proceedings  regarding its
long-term contracts.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
resolve such disputes in a satisfactory manner.

The Company's  customers  frequently combine various qualities of coal, nuclear,
natural  gas and other  energy  sources  in their  generating  operations,  and,
accordingly,  their demand for coal of the kind  produced by the Company  varies
depending on price and transportation, regulatory, and other factors.

The Company's coal production and sales are subject to a variety of operational,
geologic,  transportation,  and  weather-related  factors that  routinely  cause
production  to  fluctuate.  Operational  factors  affecting  production  include
anticipated and  unanticipated  events.  For example,  at Mingo Logan's longwall
mine,  the longwall  equipment must be dismantled and moved to a new area of the
mine  whenever the coal reserves in a segment of the mine,  called a panel,  are
exhausted. The size of a panel varies, and therefore, the frequency of moves can
also  vary.  Unanticipated  events,  such  as the  unavailability  of  essential
equipment  because of  breakdown or  unscheduled  maintenance,  could  adversely
affect production.

Permits are sometimes delayed by unanticipated regulatory requests or processing
delays.  Timely  completion of improvement  projects and equipment  relocation's
depend to a large degree on availability of labor and equipment, timely issuance
of permits, and the weather.  Sales can be adversely affected by fluctuations in
production and by  transportation  delays arising from equipment  unavailability
and weather-related events, such as flooding.

Geologic  conditions  within  mines are not  uniform.  Overburden  ratios at the
surface  mines  vary,  as do roof and floor  conditions  and seam  thickness  in
underground  mines.  These  variations  can be either  positive or negative  for
production.  Weather  conditions  can  also  have a  significant  effect  on the
Company's  production,  depending on the severity and duration of the condition.
For example,  extremely  cold weather  combined  with  substantial  snow and ice
accumulations  may  impede  surface  operations   directly  and  all  operations
indirectly  by making it difficult  for workers and  suppliers to reach the mine
sites.

The results of the third quarter of each year are normally adversely affected by
lower  production  and  resultant  higher costs  because of  scheduled  vacation
periods.  In addition,  costs are  typically  somewhat  higher  during  vacation
periods because of maintenance  activity carried on during those periods.  These
adverse  effects on the third quarter may make the third quarter not  comparable
to the other  quarters and not indicative of results to be expected for the full
year.

The Apogee and Hobet operations are a party to the Wage Agreement.  From time to
time in the past, strikes and work stoppages have adversely affected  production
at Apogee's and Hobet's  


                                       29
<PAGE>

mining  complexes.  Any  future  strike or work  stoppage  that  affected  these
operations for a prolonged period would have a significant adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations.

Any one or a combination of changing demand; fluctuating selling prices; routine
operational,  geologic,  transportation and weather-related factors;  unexpected
regulatory  changes or results of litigation;  or labor disruptions may occur at
times or in a manner that causes current and projected  results of operations to
deviate from projections and  expectations.  Any event disrupting  substantially
all production at any of the Company's  principal  mines for a prolonged  period
would have a significant  adverse effect on the Company's  current and projected
results of operations.  Decreases in production from anticipated  levels usually
lead to increased mining costs and decreased net income.



                                       30
<PAGE>

Part II - Other Information

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The third through seventh  paragraphs of the Legal  Contingencies  subsection of
the Contingencies  section of Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations  in this report are  incorporated  herein by
reference.

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      (a)  On April 4, 1997, the Company's shareholders acted by written consent
in accordance  with Section 228 if the General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware.

      (c)  By written  consent  of the  shareholders representing  98.75% of the
Company's voting securities, the shareholders:

            (1)  approved an amendment to the Company's Restated  Certificate of
Incorporation  increasing  the  number  of  shares  authorized  to be  issued to
100,000,000 par value $0.01 per share and reclassifying each existing issued and
outstanding  share of Company common stock $1.00 par value into 338.0857  shares
common stock par value $0.01;

            (2)  adopted a Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be effective
as of the effective time of the Merger; and

            (3)  adopted and approved, effective as of the effective time of the
Merger,  the Arch Coal,  Inc. 1997 Stock  Incentive Plan and the reservation for
issuance thereunder of 6,000,000 shares of Company common stock.

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)
     2.1  Agreement  and Plan of  Merger  dated as of April 4,  1997,  among the
          Company, Ashland Coal and AMC Merger Corporation  (incorporated herein
          by  reference  to Exhibit 2.1 to the  Registration  Statement  of Arch
          Mineral Corporation on Form S-4, registration 333-28149 (S-4)).

     3.1  Restated    Certificate  of   Incorporation   of   Arch   Coal,   Inc.
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the S-4).

     3.2  Restated and Amended By Laws of Arch Coal, Inc.  (incorporated  herein
          by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the S-4).

     4.1  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated  as of  April 4, 1997,  among  Carboex
          International,   Ltd.,  Ashland  Inc.  and  Arch Mineral   Corporation
          (incorporated herein as reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the S-4).


                                       31
<PAGE>


     4.2  Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated as of April 4, 1997, among Arch
          Mineral Corporation, Ashland Inc., Carboex International, Ltd. and the
          entities listed on Schedules I and II thereto  (incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the S-4).

     4.3  Agreement  Relating  to  Nonvoting  Observer,  executed as of April 4,
          1997, among Carboex  International,  Ltd., Ashland Inc., Ashland Coal,
          Inc. and Arch Mineral Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.3 to the S-4).

     4.4  Agreement  for  Termination  of the Arch  Mineral  Corporation  Voting
          Agreement and for Nomination of Directors,  dated as of April 4, 1997,
          among  Hunt  Coal  Corporation,  Petro-Hunt  Corporation,  each of the
          trusts  listed on Schedule I thereto,  Ashland  Inc.  and Arch Mineral
          Corporation  (incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
          S-4).

     4.5  Credit  Agreement  dated as of July 1,  1997,  by and among Arch Coal,
          Inc.,  the banks party thereto,  PNC Bank,  National  Association,  as
          Administrative and Syndication Agent and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
          of New York, as  Documentation  and  Syndication  Agent  (incorporated
          herein by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report of Arch Coal,
          Inc. on Form 8-K filed July 15, 1997).

     27   Financial Data Schedule (filed herewith).




                                       32
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                                ARCH COAL, INC.
                                                (Registrant)

Date: August 13, 1997                           /s/ James P. Pye
                                                -------------------
                                                James P. Pye
                                                Controller (Chief Accounting
                                                  Officer)


Date: August 13, 1997                           /s/ Jeffry N. Quinn
                                                --------------------
                                                Jeffry N. Quinn
                                                Senior Vice President, General
                                                  Counsel and Secretary



                                       33
<PAGE>


                                 Arch Coal, Inc.
                    Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended June 30, 1997


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


     2.1  Agreement  and Plan of  Merger  dated as of April 4,  1997,  among the
          Company, Ashland Coal and AMC Merger Corporation  (incorporated herein
          by  reference  to Exhibit 2.1 to the  Registration  Statement  of Arch
          Mineral Corporation on Form S-4, registration 333-28149 (S-4)).

     3.1  Restated   Certificate   of   Incorporation   of   Arch   Coal,   Inc.
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the S-4).

     3.2  Restated and Amended By Laws of Arch Coal,  Inc. (incorporated  herein
          by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the S-4).

     4.1  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated  as of  April 4, 1997,  among  Carboex
          International,   Ltd.,  Ashland  Inc.  and Arch  Mineral   Corporation
          (incorporated herein as reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the S-4).

     4.2  Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated as of April 4, 1997, among Arch
          Mineral Corporation, Ashland Inc., Carboex International, Ltd. and the
          entities listed on Schedules I and II thereto  (incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the S-4).

     4.3  Agreement  Relating  to  Nonvoting  Observer,  executed as of April 4,
          1997, among Carboex  International,  Ltd., Ashland Inc., Ashland Coal,
          Inc. and Arch Mineral Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.3 to the S-4).

     4.4  Agreement  for  Termination  of the Arch  Mineral  Corporation  Voting
          Agreement and for Nomination of Directors,  dated as of April 4, 1997,
          among  Hunt  Coal  Corporation,  Petro-Hunt  Corporation,  each of the
          trusts  listed on Schedule I thereto,  Ashland  Inc.  and Arch Mineral
          Corporation  (incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
          S-4).

     4.5  Credit  Agreement  dated as of July 1,  1997,  by and among Arch Coal,
          Inc.,  the banks party thereto,  PNC Bank,  National  Association,  as
          Administrative and Syndication Agent and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
          of New York, as  Documentation  and  Syndication  Agent  (incorporated
          herein by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report of Arch Coal,
          Inc. on Form 8-K filed July 15, 1997).

     27   Financial Data Schedule (filed herewith).

                                       34

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<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>
<MULTIPLIER>                               1,000

       
<S>                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                         JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                     16322
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                              78474
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                41794
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          159499
<PP&E>                                   1182224
<DEPRECIATION>                            629426
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            883704
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     131115
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                     209
<OTHER-SE>                                148058
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              883704
<SALES>                                   383286
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          393576
<CGS>                                     340925
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             360967
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          6792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            26352
<INCOME-TAX>                                4200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        22152
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                               22152
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                               1.06

        
  

</TABLE>


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