ARCH COAL INC
10-Q, 1998-11-16
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 September 30, 1998

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                               43-092117
    (State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)


                  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 X  No 

    At November 11, 1998, there were 39,455,181 shares of the registrant's
  common stock outstanding.


<PAGE>


                                      INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                          PAGE

  Item 1. Financial Statements

   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998
   and December 31, 1997................................................1

   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months
   Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and the Nine Months Ended
   September 30, 1998 and 1997..........................................2

   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine
   Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.............................3

   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.................4

  Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
           Condition and Results of Operations..........................10

  Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk...21

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Legal Proceedings............................................22

  Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.............................22















                                       i
<PAGE>


                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (IN THOUSANDS)

                                        September 30       December 31
                                           1998               1997
                                        ------------       -----------
                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                      <C>                <C>    

Assets                             
  Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents            $   25,170             9,177
    Trade accounts receivable               184,156           133,810
    Other receivables                        18,578            14,046
    Inventories                              71,320            50,419
    Prepaid royalties                        14,924            17,745
    Deferred income taxes                     8,506             8,506
    Other                                    39,864             9,475
                                         ----------        ----------
        Total current assets                362,518           243,178
                                         ----------        ----------

  Property, plant and equipment,               
   net                                    1,909,320         1,149,926
                                         ----------        ----------

  Other assets
    Prepaid royalties                        32,430            20,826
    Coal supply agreements                  203,735           185,306
    Deferred income taxes                    46,855            44,023
    Investment in Canyon Fuel               277,759                 -
    Other                                    46,944            13,065
                                         ----------        ----------
        Total other assets                  607,723           263,220
                                         ----------        ----------
              Total assets               $2,879,561        $1,656,324
                                         ==========        ==========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
  Current liabilities
    Accounts payable                     $  164,394        $   84,692
    Accrued expenses                        114,275            88,082
    Current portion of long-term debt       103,000            29,500
                                         ----------        ----------
         Total current liabilities          381,669           202,274
  Long-term debt                          1,198,397           248,425
  Accrued postretirement benefits              
   other than pension                       344,733           323,115
  Accrued reclamation and mine                 
   closure                                  147,203           116,199
  Accrued workers' compensation             109,550            97,759
  Accrued pension cost                       25,076            21,730
  Other noncurrent liabilities               50,082            35,324
                                         ----------        ----------
        Total liabilities                 2,256,710         1,044,826
                                         ----------        ----------

  Stockholders' equity
    Common stock                                397               397
    Paid-in capital                         473,116           472,425
    Retained earnings                       150,266           138,676
    Treasury stock, at cost                    (928)                -
                                         ----------        ----------
        Total stockholders' equity          622,851           611,498
                                         ----------        ----------
              Total liabilities and
               stockholders' equity      $2,879,561        $1,656,324
                                         ==========        ==========

     See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>



                                       1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                          ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                    (UNAUDITED)

                                                     Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                                        September 30,             September 30,
                                                   -----------------------------------------------
                                                       1998        1997          1998       1997
                                                   -----------  ----------   ----------- ----------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>    

Revenues
  Coal sales                                       $  393,296     322,924      1,034,474    706,210
  Income from equity investment                         2,719           -          5,135          -
  Other revenues                                       28,108       6,551         50,504     18,152
                                                   ----------   ---------     ----------  ---------
                                                      424,123     329,475      1,090,113    724,362
                                                   ----------   ---------     ----------  ---------

Costs and expenses
  Cost of coal sales                                  366,922     288,301        943,438    628,734
  Selling, general and administrative expenses         12,104      10,054         28,848     18,254
  Amortization of coal supply agreements               11,062       6,504         24,726     10,704
  Merger-related expenses                                   -      39,132              -     39,132
  Other expenses                                       10,126       5,952         19,384     15,397
                                                   ----------   ---------      ---------   --------
                                                      400,214     349,943      1,016,396    712,221
                                                   ----------   ---------      ---------   --------
      Income (loss) from operations                    23,909     (20,468)        73,717     12,141

Interest expense, net:
  Interest expense                                    (24,600)     (5,950)       (38,770)   (12,742)
  Interest income                                         135         117            316        652
                                                  -----------  ----------      ---------  ---------
                                                      (24,465)     (5,833)       (38,454)   (12,090)
                                                  -----------  ----------      ---------  ---------
      Income (loss) before income taxes                  (556)    (26,301)        35,263         51
Provision (benefit) for income taxes                   (1,100)    (13,300)         3,900     (9,100)
                                                  -----------  ----------      ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item                   544     (13,001)        31,363      9,151
Extraordinary item from the extinguishment
 of debt                                                    -           -         (1,488)         -
                                                  -----------  ----------      ---------  ---------
      Net income (loss)                           $       544     (13,001)        29,875      9,151
                                                  ===========  ==========      =========  =========

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
  common share before extraordinary item          $      0.01  $    (0.33)     $    0.79  $    0.34
                                                  ===========  ==========      =========  =========

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per    
  common share                                    $      0.01  $    (0.33)     $    0.75  $    0.34
                                                  ===========  ==========      =========  =========

Weighted average shares outstanding                    39,693      39,636         39,673     27,177
                                                  ===========  ==========      =========  =========

Dividends declared per common share               $     0.230  $    0.115      $   0.460  $   0.330
                                                  ===========  ==========      =========  =========


                     See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                       (IN THOUSANDS)
                        (UNAUDITED)

                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                                    September 30,
                                               ----------------------
                                                  1998          1997
                                               ---------    ---------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>    
Operating activities
Net income                                     $  29,875    $   9,151
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided 
 by operating activities:
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization       142,223      100,962
  Prepaid royalties expensed                      15,180        4,989
  Net gain on disposition of assets              (29,847)        (400)
  Merger-related expenses                              -       35,854
  Income from equity investment                   (5,135)           -
  Distribution from equity investment             16,250            -
  Changes in:
      Receivables                                (10,085)      (9,367)
      Inventories                                  4,439       (2,071)
      Accounts payable and accrued                   
       expenses                                   39,226        5,893
      Income taxes                                (5,405)     (28,976)
      Accrued postretirement benefits              9,173        5,286
      Accrued workers' compensation benefits       1,293       (5,972)
      Accrued reclamation and mine closure        (2,035)        (134)
      Other                                      (22,984)       6,933
                                                --------    ---------
   Cash provided by operating activities         182,168      122,148
                                                --------    ---------

Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions                    (1,090,000)     (16,990)
Additions to property, plant and equipment       (65,326)     (36,341)
Proceeds from dispositions of property,              
 plant and equipment                              26,349          792
Additions to prepaid royalties and bid               
 deposit                                         (55,481)      (4,767)
                                             -----------    ---------

    Cash used in investing activities         (1,184,458)     (57,306)
                                             -----------    ---------

Financing activities                        
Net proceeds from revolver and lines of              
 credit                                           56,190      127,873
Payments on senior notes                         (42,860)    (181,110)
Proceeds from term loans                         973,436            -
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of equipment     45,442            -
Dividends paid                                   (13,688)      (9,070)
Proceeds from sale of common stock                   691        1,050
Purchases of common stock                           (928)           -
                                               ---------    ---------

    Cash (used in) provided by financing             
     activities                                1,018,283      (61,257)
                                               ---------    ---------

Increase in cash and cash equivalents             15,993        3,585
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of              
 period                                            9,177       13,716
                                               ---------     --------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period          25,170       17,301
                                               =========     ========


      See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                       3
<PAGE>


                        ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)

Note A - General

The accompanying unaudited 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  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.  Results of operations for
the periods ended September 30, 1998, are not necessarily  indicative of results
to be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. The Company produces steam
and  metallurgical  coal from  surface  and deep mines in  Central  Appalachian,
Western,  and Midwestern coal fields for sale to utility,  industrial and export
markets. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated
in  consolidation.  Certain  amounts in the 1997 financial  statements have been
reclassified  to  conform  with  the   classifications  in  the  1998  financial
statements  with no effect on  previously  reported net income or  stockholders'
equity.

Note B - Acquisitions

On June 1, 1998,  Arch Coal  acquired the Colorado and Utah coal  operations  of
Atlantic  Richfield  Company ("ARCO") and  simultaneously  combined the acquired
ARCO  operations  and the  Company's  Wyoming  operations  with  ARCO's  Wyoming
operations  in a new joint  venture  named Arch  Western  Resources,  LLC ("Arch
Western").  The principal operating units of Arch Western are Thunder Basin Coal
Company,  L.L.C.,  owned 100% by Arch Western,  which operates two coal mines in
the Southern Powder River Basin in Wyoming; Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C., owned
100% by Arch  Western,  which  operates  a coal mine in  Colorado;  Canyon  Fuel
Company,  LLC ("Canyon Fuel"), 65% owned by Arch Western and 35% by ITOCHU Coal,
Inc., a subsidiary of ITOCHU  Corporation,  which  operates  three coal mines in
Utah; and Arch of Wyoming,  LLC, owned 100% by Arch Western,  which operates two
coal mines in the Hanna Basin of Wyoming.

Arch Western is 99% owned by Arch Coal and 1% owned by ARCO. The  transaction is
valued at  approximately  $1.14 billion and Arch Coal is the managing  member of
Arch Western.  The  transaction has been accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting.  Accordingly, the cost to acquire ARCO's U.S. coal operations has
been  preliminarily  allocated to the assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed
according  to  their   respective   estimated  fair  values.   Arch  Western  is
consolidated  into the Company's  financial  statements.  As a result of certain
super-majority  voting  rights,  Arch  Western's 65% ownership of Canyon Fuel is
accounted  for under the equity method of  accounting.  Results of operations of
the acquired operations are included in the condensed consolidated statements of
income  effective  June 1, 1998. As was the case prior to the  acquisition,  the
acquired  ARCO  operations  will produce  low-sulfur  coal for sale to primarily
domestic utility customers.

Summarized  below are the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations for
the nine months ended  September 30, 1998 and 1997.  These  results  reflect the
July 1, 1997 merger with Ashland Coal,  Inc. as if it had occurred on January 1,
1997 and the June 1, 1998 Arch  Western  transaction  as if it had  occurred  on
January 1, 1998 and 1997.


                                       4
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,
                                   ------------------------
                                      1998          1997
                                   -----------   ----------
                                        (in thousands)
<S>                                <C>          <C>   

Revenues                           $1,252,106    $1,357,370
Income before extraordinary item   $   21,240    $   32,945
Net income                         $   19,752    $   32,945
Earnings per share before
 extraordinary item                $      .54    $      .83
Earnings per share                 $      .50    $      .83
</TABLE>

In the opinion of the management of the Company,  all  adjustments  necessary to
present pro forma results of operations  have been made. The unaudited pro forma
results of  operations do not purport to be indicative of the results that would
have occurred had these  transactions  actually occurred at the beginning of the
relevant  periods or of the  results of  operations  that may be achieved in the
future.

Note C - Investment in Canyon Fuel

The following  table presents  unaudited  summarized  financial  information for
Canyon  Fuel  which,  as  part of the  June 1,  1998  Arch  Western  transaction
(described  in Note B), was acquired by the Company and is accounted  for on the
equity method:

                                            Three Months    Four Months
                                               Ended            Ended
                                            September 30    September 30
                                               1998              1998     
                                            ------------    -------------
                                                   (in thousands)

                  Revenues                   $  65,570        $  86,153
                  Total costs and expenses      66,152           83,398
                                             ---------        ---------
                  Net income (loss)          $    (582)       $   2,755
                                             =========        =========

                  Arch Coal's income from
                   its equity investment
                   in Canyon Fuel            $   2,719        $   5,135
                                             =========        =========

Arch Coal's income from its equity  investment in Canyon Fuel  represents 65% of
Canyon Fuel's net income after adjusting for the effect of Arch's  investment in
Canyon Fuel.

Note D - Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:

                                     September 30,      December 31,
                                        1998                1997     
                                     =============      ============
                                             (in thousands)

          Coal                         $  28,450         $  25,359
          Repair parts and supplies       42,870            25,060
                                     -----------         ---------
                                       $  71,320         $  50,419
                                     ===========         =========


                                       5
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Note E - Debt

Debt consists of the following:

                                          September 30,          December 31,
                                              1998                    1997
                                          =============          ============
                                                     (in thousands)
       <S>                                <C>                    <C>    

       Indebtedness to banks under lines
        of credit                         $     2,492            $   36,302
       Indebtedness to banks under
        revolving credit agreement,
        expiring May 31, 2003                 280,000                     -
       Variable rate term loan payable
        quarterly through May 31, 2003        300,000                     -
       Variable rate term loan payable
        May 31, 2003                          675,000                     -
       Indebtedness to banks under the
        1997 revolving credit agreement             -               190,000
       7.79% senior unsecured notes                 -                42,860
       Other                                   43,905                 8,763
                                            ---------             ---------
                                            1,301,397               277,925
       Less current portion                   103,000                29,500
                                            =========             =========
       Long-term debt                      $1,198,397             $ 248,425
                                           ==========             =========
</TABLE>


On July 1, 1997,  concurrently with the Company's combination with Ashland Coal,
the Company entered into a $500 million  revolving  credit  agreement.  The $500
million  revolving  credit  agreement  had a  five-year  term,  and the  rate of
interest on borrowings  under this  agreement  was, 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.  Indebtedness  under this  facility was repaid in
its entirety and the facility terminated  effective June 1, 1998, using proceeds
from a new Company  revolving  credit  facility  entered into  effective June 1,
1998.

In  connection  with the Arch Western  transaction  (referred to in Note B), the
Company  entered  into three new  five-year  credit  facilities:  a $675 million
non-amortizing  term loan to Arch Western,  a $300 million fully amortizing term
loan to Arch Coal, and a $600 million  revolver to Arch Coal.  Borrowings  under
the new Arch Coal  credit  facilities  were used to finance the  acquisition  of
ARCO's Colorado and Utah coal operations,  to pay related fees and expenses,  to
refinance  existing  corporate  debt and for  general  corporate  purposes.  The
Company recognized an extraordinary charge, net of tax benefits, of $1.5 million
from the  refinancing  of existing  corporate  debt.  Borrowings  under the Arch
Western  credit  facility  were used to fund a portion  of a $700  million  cash
distribution by Arch Western to ARCO, which distribution occurred simultaneously
with  ARCO's  contribution  of its Wyoming  coal  operations  and certain  other
insignificant  assets to Arch Western.  The Arch Western credit  facility is not
guaranteed  by the  Company.  The rate of interest on the  borrowings  under the
agreements is, at the Company's  option,  the PNC Bank base rate or a rate based
on LIBOR. On a historical  basis, at December 31, 1997, Arch Coal's debt was 31%
of capital employed. At September 30, 1998 Arch Coal's debt is approximately 68%
of capital employed.

Terms of the Company's credit  facilities and leases contain financial and other
restrictive  covenants  that limit the ability of the  Company  to,  among other
things, pay dividends, effect acquisitions or dispositions and borrow additional
funds,  and  require  the  Company to,  among  other  things,  maintain  various
financial ratios and comply with various other financial  covenants.  Failure by
the Company to comply with such  covenants  could  result in an event of default
which,  if not cured or  waived,  could have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company.


                                       6
<PAGE>


The Company  enters into  interest-rate  swap  agreements to modify the interest
characteristics  of  outstanding  Arch Coal debt.  At September  30,  1998,  the
Company had fifteen  interest-rate swap agreements having a total notional value
of $725 million.  These swap agreements were used to convert  variable-rate debt
to fixed-rate  debt.  Under these swap  agreements,  the Company pays a weighted
average  fixed rate of 5.60% (or 7.10%  including a Euro-rate  credit  spread of
1.5%) and is receiving a weighted average variable rate based upon 30-day LIBOR.
The  remaining  term of the swaps at September  30,  1998,  ranged from 50 to 72
months.

Note F - Treasury Stock

On September 29, 1998, Arch Coal's Board of Directors  authorized the Company to
repurchase up to 2 million  shares of Company  common  stock.  The timing of the
purchases  and the  number of  shares to be  purchased  are dependent  on market
conditions.  As of September  30, 1998,  the Company has acquired  57,200 shares
under the repurchase program at the average price of $14.81 per share.

Note G - 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 as of  September  30,  1998 is $6.4  million  (included  in other
nonconcurrent  liabilities) and believes that probable  insurance  recoveries of
$.7 million (included in other assets) related to these claims will be realized.
The Company  estimates that its reasonably  possible  aggregate  losses from all
material  currently  pending  litigation could be as much as $.6 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.

A customer of the Company has  informed the Company that one of its power plants
will no longer provide baseload capacity to a public utility and instead will be
used to provide  peak  demand  only and,  as a result,  the plant  will  require
substantially less coal under the customer's existing above-market contract with
the Company.  The Company has filed a civil action in Federal  District Court in
the Southern  District of West  Virginia  alleging  breach of contract and other
causes of action  against the customer in respect of the  customer's  failure to
comply with the terms of this  contract.  On July 17, 1998 the court granted the
customer's motion to stay the lawsuit pending  arbitration.  As of September 30,
1998,  the carrying  amount of acquisition  costs  allocated to this coal supply
contract is approximately  $14.5 million.  The Company currently expects that it
will recover the carrying amount of this asset, however, the ultimate outcome of
this matter is uncertain.

Note H - Changes in Estimates and Other Non-Recurring Revenues and Expenses

The  Company's  operating  results for the three  months and nine  months  ended
September  30, 1998 reflect  pre-tax  gains on the sale of surplus land totaling
$1.2 million ($.7 million after-tax) and $11.1 million ($6.5 million after-tax),
respectively. The operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
also reflect a $6.3  million  operating  loss  (including  termination  benefits
totaling $1.3 million),  at the Company's Mine No. 37 in eastern  Kentucky which
closed in January 1998. On September 29, 1998, the Company completed the sale of
inactive coal properties in eastern  Kentucky,  which resulted in a pre-tax gain
of $18.5 million  ($11.3  after-tax).  The nine months ended  September 30, 1997
includes a $3.3 million reduction in the reclamation and mine closure reserve at
the Company's Illinois operation due to a change in permit  requirements  offset
by $4.6 million in costs associated with the October,  1996 impoundment  failure
at Lone Mountain Processing,  Inc. The nine months ended September 30, 1997 also
includes a $4.2  million  reduction  in workers'  compensation  reserves  due to
better than anticipated safety performance.



                                       7
<PAGE>



Note I - Sale and Leaseback

On January 29, 1998, the Company sold mining equipment for  approximately  $74.2
million and leased back the  equipment  under an operating  lease with a term of
three years.  This included the sale and leaseback of equipment  purchased under
an existing  operating  lease that  expired on the same day. The proceeds of the
sale were used to  purchase  the  equipment  under the  expired  lease for $28.3
million,  pay related  transaction fees of $.4 million and to pay down debt. The
lease provides for annual rental payments of approximately  $9.1 million,  $11.6
million,  $11.2  million  and  $2.7  million  in  1998,  1999,  2000  and  2001,
respectively.  At the end of the lease term, the Company has the option to renew
the lease for two  additional  one year  periods or purchase the  equipment  for
approximately $51.1 million. Alternatively, the equipment may be sold to a third
party. In the event of such a sale, the Company will be required to make payment
to the lessor in the event,  and to the extent,  that the sale proceeds are less
than $40.0 million. The gain on the sale and leaseback of $10.7 million has been
deferred and is being  amortized  over the base term of the lease as a reduction
of rental expense.

Note J - Computation of Earnings per Share

In 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128 ("FAS 128"), "Earnings per Share." FAS 128 replaced
the  previously  reported  primary and fully diluted  earnings per share ("EPS")
with basic and diluted EPS.  Unlike primary EPS, basic EPS excludes any dilutive
effects of options and  convertible  securities.  Diluted EPS is very similar to
the previously  reported  fully diluted EPS. The following  table sets forth the
computation of basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                                        September 30,            September 30,
                                                 ------------------------    ---------------------
                                                    1998          1997          1998        1997
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------  ---------
                                                                    (in thousands)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>  

Numerator:                           
   Income (loss) before extraordinary item       $     544     $ (13,001)     $ 31,363   $  9,151
   Extraordinary item                                    -             -        (1,488)         -
                                                 =========     =========      ========   ========
     Net income (loss)                           $     544     $ (13,001)     $ 29,875   $  9,151
                                                 =========     =========      ========   ========
Dominator:                           
   Weighted average shares - denominator
     for basic                                      39,693        39,636        39,673     27,177
   Dilutive effect of employee stock
     options                                             8            76            33         94
                                                 ---------     ---------      --------   --------
   Adjusted weighted average shares - 
     denominator for diluted                        39,701        39,712        39,706     27,271
                                                 =========     =========      ========   ========
Basic and diluted earnings (loss)
     per common share before
     extraordinary item                          $     .01     $    (.33)     $    .79   $    .34
                                                 =========     =========      ========   ========

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
     common share                                $     .01     $    (.33)     $    .75   $    .34
                                                 =========     =========      ========   ========

</TABLE>

Note K - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued  Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments of an
Enterprise and Related  Information"  ("FAS 131"),  which is effective for years
beginning  after  December 15, 1997. FAS 131  establishes  standards for the way
that public business  enterprises report information about operating segments in
annual financial  statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information  about  operating  segments in interim  financial  reports.  It also
establishes  standards  for related  disclosures  about  products and  services,
geographic  areas  and  major  customers.  FAS 131 is  effective  for  financial
statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, and therefore the
Company will adopt the new  requirements  retroactively  in 1998. The Company is
evaluating the requirements of FAS 131 and the effects, if any, on the Company's
current reporting and disclosures.


                                       8
<PAGE>


In February  1998,  FAS 132,  "Employers  Disclosure  about  Pensions  and Other
Postretirement  Benefits" was issued. FAS 132 does not change the recognition or
measurement  of  pension  or  postretirement  benefit  plans,  but  standardizes
disclosure   requirements  for  pensions  and  other  postretirement   benefits,
eliminates unnecessary disclosure and requires additional  information.  FAS 132
is  required  to be adopted in 1998 and  restatement  of  disclosures  for prior
periods  provided for comparative  purposes is required.  The application of FAS
132 is not expected to have a material effect on the disclosures included in the
Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 1998,  FAS 133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging
Activities" was issued, which is required to be adopted in years beginning after
June 15, 1999.  FAS 133 permits early adoption as of the beginning of any fiscal
quarter  after its  issuance.  FAS 133 will require the Company to recognize all
derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  Derivatives that are not hedges
must be adjusted to fair value  through  income.  If the  derivative is a hedge,
depending on the nature of the hedge,  changes in the fair value of  derivatives
will  either be offset  against  the change in fair value of the hedged  assets,
liabilities,  or firm  commitments  through  earnings  or  recognized  in  other
comprehensive  income  until the hedged  item is  recognized  in  earnings.  The
ineffective  portion of a derivative's  change in fair value will be immediately
recognized in earnings.  The Company has not yet determined  what effect FAS 133
will have on the earnings and financial position of the Company.

Note L - Subsequent Events

On October 1, 1998, the Company was the successful  bidder in a federal  auction
of  certain  mining  rights in the 3,546 acre  Thundercloud  tract in the Powder
River Basin of Wyoming.  The Company's  lease bonus bid amounted to $158 million
for the tract,  which contains  approximately  412 million tons of  demonstrated
coal reserves and is contiguous with the Company's Black Thunder mine. The first
installment  of the  lease  bonus in the  amount  of $36.1  million  was paid on
October 1,  1998,  and four  payments  in the same  amount  are  payable on each
October 1 thereafter through October 31, 2002. Final approval of this coal lease
is expected in the fourth quarter of 1998 following routine government review.

On October 30,  1998,  the  Company  issued  Worker  Adjustment  and  Retraining
Notifications ("WARN Notices") to employees at its Dal-Tex Mine in Logan County,
West Virginia.  Under the WARN Act, a company must provide workers with at least
60 days advance  notification  before  layoffs can occur.  The WARN Notices were
issued as a result of potential layoffs that could occur if the mining operation
does not receive the necessary  permits from the U.S.  Environmental  Protection
Agency  ("EPA") and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the "Corps") to mine a new
reserve area adjacent to current operations.  The permitting has been delayed by
various  complaints  before the agencies  identified above. The required permits
consist  of a surface  mining  permit  that must be issued by the West  Virginia
Department of  Environmental  Protection  ("DEP"),  an NPDES Permit that must be
approved by the EPA and a dredge and fill permit under  Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act must be issued by the Corps.  On November 4, 1998,  the DEP issued the
required surface mining permit.  Prior to the  commencement of mining,  however,
the NPDES Permit must be approved by the EPA and the Corps must issue the dredge
and fill permit.  On October 24, 1998, a public  hearing on the NPDES Permit was
held by the EPA.  The EPA must allow at least  thirty  days for  public  comment
after the hearing prior to making a decision on the permit. On November 9, 1998,
the United  States  District  Court for the Southern  District of West  Virginia
denied the motion of the  plaintiffs for a temporary  restraining  order seeking
revocation  of the DEP surface  mining  permit  pending a hearing  scheduled for
December 10, 1998 on plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary  injunction.  (See the
discussion in the "Legal  Contingencies"  subsection of Management's  Discussion
and Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations  section of the
10-Q below).

On October 22,  1998,  the Company  reached  agreement  in principle to pay $2.0
million to settle a claim  made by a third  party  that  longwall  mining at the
Company's  Mingo Logan complex  damaged an overlying  seam of coal that had been
subleased  by a  Company  subsidiary  to the  third  party.  The  amount  of the
settlement  has been fully  accrued  for by the  Company.  The  Company has also
agreed in principle to repurchase the overlying seam in other areas of the Mingo
Logan  complex  for  $13.6  million.  The  settlement  of the  lawsuit  and  the
acquisition  of the coal  reserves  are  expected to be  completed in the fourth
quarter  of 1998,  subject  to  completion  of  negotiations  and  execution  of
definitive   settlement  and  acquisition   agreements.


                                       9
<PAGE>


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

Reference is made to the  "Contingencies,"  "Certain Risk  Factors,"  "Impact of
Year 2000" and "Factors  Routinely  Affecting  Results of  Operations"  sections
below (all such sections being hereafter  collectively  referred to as the "Risk
Factors  Disclosure")  for a discussion of factors that may cause actual results
to differ materially from the forward-looking  statements (within the meaning of
Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and  Section  21E of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934)  herein,  including in the "Outlook"  and  "Liquidity  and
Capital Resources" sections below.

Results of Operations

Ashland Coal merged with Arch Mineral Corporation effective July 1, 1997 to form
the Company and the Company acquired ARCO's U.S. coal operations  effective June
1, 1998. Results of operations do not include activity of Ashland Coal or ARCO's
U.S.  coal  operations  prior to the  effective  dates  of  these  transactions.
Accordingly,  the  Company's  results of  operations  for the third  quarter and
nine-month   periods  ended  September  30,  1997  and  1998  are  not  directly
comparable.

Quarter Ended September 30, 1998, Compared
   to Quarter Ended September 30, 1997

Net income for the quarter ended  September 30, 1998, was $.5 million,  compared
to a net loss of $13.0  million for the quarter ended  September  30, 1997.  The
September  30, 1997  quarter  included a $39.1  million  charge  ($23.8  million
after-tax) related to the Company's merger with Ashland Coal. The merger-related
charge is principally  comprised of termination  benefits,  relocation costs and
costs associated with the idling of duplicate facilities. The third quarter 1998
results were affected by the previously  announced expiration of the high margin
contract with Georgia Power at the end of 1997 and the depletion of the longwall
reserves at the Company's Mine No. 37 in eastern  Kentucky in September 1997 and
subsequent  closing of that mine in January,  1998. The Company decided to close
the mine primarily due to poor geologic  conditions.  On September 29, 1998, the
Company  completed the sale of the inactive coal properties in eastern Kentucky.
The  transaction  resulted in a pre-tax  gain of $18.5  million  ($11.3  million
after-tax).  In addition, third quarter 1998 results were negatively affected by
reduced  shipments on a high margin  contract and  production  shortfalls at the
Hobet 21 mine and Dal-Tex mine in West  Virginia.  The reduced  shipments on the
high  margin  contract  occurred  upon  the  previously  announced  change  of a
customer's plant from a baseload to a peak demand plant. This adversely affected
net income by approximately $1.0 million for the quarter.  The quarterly results
were also  negatively  affected by poor rail  service at the  Company's  western
operations  and routine mine  shutdowns in  connection  with miners'  vacations.
Offsetting these items during the quarter was the continued  strong  performance
at the Company's Mingo Logan mining complex.

Gross profit on coal sales (selling price less cost of sales) on a per ton basis
decreased  $1.73 from the third quarter of 1997.  The average  selling price and
cost of sales per ton decreased by $10.45 and $8.72 per ton, respectively,  from
the third  quarter of 1997.  The price and cost of sales per ton  decreases  are
primarily  attributable  to the inclusion of the acquired ARCO operations in the
1998 period.  Wyoming coal, which on a pro forma basis giving effect to the ARCO
acquisition  as of  January  1,  1998,  accounts  for  approximately  47% of the
Company's  production,  has a lower average sales price than coal at Arch Coal's
other coal  operations and Wyoming coal  operations  have a lower cost structure
than coal at Arch Coal's other coal operations.  Other factors affecting the per
ton  information  include the  expiration  of the Georgia  Power  contract,  the
closing of Mine No. 37,  production  shortfalls at the Hobet 21 mine and Dal-Tex
mine,  reduced  shipments on a high margin  contract and the 1997  completion of
amortization of a 1993  unrecognized net gain related to  pneumoconiosis  (black
lung) liabilities.

As a  result  of  certain  super-majority  voting  rights,  Arch  Western's  65%
ownership of Canyon Fuel is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Income  from equity  investment  represents  Arch  Coal's  share (65%) of Canyon
Fuel's net income (after adjusting for the effect of Arch's investment in Canyon
Fuel) since the June 1, 1998 acquisition date.


                                       10
<PAGE>


Other  revenues were $21.6 million  higher in the third quarter of 1998 than the
same period in 1997,  primarily  as a result of the $18.5  million  pre-tax gain
from the sale of inactive coal properties in eastern Kentucky.

Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  increased $2.1 million from the
comparable  period in 1997  primarily  due to the  effects  of the Arch  Western
transaction.

Amortization of coal supply  agreements  increased $4.6 million from the quarter
ended September 30, 1997. This increase was  attributable to the amortization of
the carrying value of sales contracts acquired in the Arch Western transaction.

Other expenses  increased  $4.2 million from the comparable  period in the prior
year primarily as a result of accruing additional liabilities related to adverse
litigation   developments   and  higher  expenses  at  the  Company's  Ark  Land
subsidiary. Ark Land expenses rose as a result of the Arch Western transaction.

Third  quarter 1998  interest  expense was $18.7  million  higher than the third
quarter of 1997. The increase is attributable to the debt incurred in connection
with the Arch Western transaction effective June 1, 1998.

The Company's  effective tax rate is sensitive to changes in estimates of annual
profitability  and  percentage  depletion.  The  Company's  income  tax  benefit
recorded in the third  quarter has been reduced by income  taxes  generated as a
result of the sale of inactive properties in eastern Kentucky in the period.

EBITDA (income (loss) from operations before the effect of changes in accounting
principles and extraordinary items,  merger-related costs, net interest expense,
income  taxes,  depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization  for Arch Coal,  its
subsidiaries  and equity  investments)  was $89.6  million for the quarter ended
September  30, 1998  compared to $61.8  million for the same quarter a year ago.
The increase in EBITDA is primarily  attributable  to the additional  sales that
resulted  from  the  Arch  Western  transaction.  EBITDA  is a  widely  accepted
financial indicator of a company's ability to incur and service debt, but EBITDA
should not be  considered  in  isolation  or as an  alternative  to net  income,
operating income, or cash flows from operations,  or as a measure of a company's
profitability,  liquidity or performance  under  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.  The Company's  method of computing  EBITDA also may not be the same
method used to compute similar measures  reported by other companies,  or EBITDA
may be computed  differently by the Company in different contexts (i.e.,  public
reporting versus computations under financing agreements).

Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 Compared
   to Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997

Net income for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1998,  was $29.9  million,
compared to $9.2 million for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997.  Results
for 1997 included a $39.1 million  charge ($23.8 million  after-tax)  related to
the Company's merger with Ashland Coal. The merger-related charge is principally
comprised of termination  benefits,  relocation  costs and costs associated with
idling of  duplicate  facilities.  The results for the first nine months of 1998
were affected by the previously announced expiration of the high margin contract
with Georgia Power at the end of 1997 and the depletion of the longwall reserves
at the  Company's  Mine  No.  37 in  eastern  Kentucky  in  September  1997  and
subsequent  closing of that mine in January,  1998. The Company decided to close
the mine  primarily due to poor geologic  conditions.  In addition,  the results
were  negatively  affected  by  reduced  shipments  on a high  margin  contract,
production shortfalls at the Hobet 21 Mine and Dal-Tex mine in West Virginia and
severe  snow  storms in West  Virginia  during the first  quarter.  The  reduced
shipments on the high margin  contract  occurred upon the  previously  announced
change of a  customer's  plant  from a baseload  to a peak  demand  plant.  This
adversely  affected net income by approximately $3.0 million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1998.  The results for the nine months ended  September 30,
1998 were also negatively affected by poor rail service at the Company's western
operations.  Offsetting  these items was a continued  strong  performance at the
Company's Mingo Logan mining complex and pre-tax gains of $29.6 million on sales
of surplus  land and other  property  during the period,  including  the sale of
inactive eastern Kentucky coal properties for a pre-tax gain of $18.5 million.


                                       11
<PAGE>


In addition to the  merger-related  charge,  other items  occurring in the first
nine months of 1997 affecting the comparison  with the first nine months of 1998
include a $4.2 million favorable  adjustment to workers'  compensation  reserves
due to better than anticipated safety performance and a $3.3 million decrease in
the accrual for reclamation and mine closure at its Illinois operations due to a
change in permit requirements.  These items were offset by non-recurring charges
of $4.6 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 in the second quarter of 1997.

Gross profit on coal sales (selling price less cost of sales) on a per ton basis
decreased  $1.14 from the first nine months of 1997.  The average  selling price
and cost of sales per ton  decreased  by $6.51 and $5.37 per ton,  respectively,
from  the  first  nine  months  of 1997.  The  price  and cost of sales  per ton
decreases  are  primarily  attributable  to the  inclusion of the acquired  ARCO
operations  beginning  June 1, 1998.  Wyoming  coal,  which on a pro forma basis
giving  effect to the ARCO  acquisition  as of  January 1,  1998,  accounts  for
approximately 47% of the Company's  production,  has a lower average sales price
than coal at Arch Coal's other coal operations, and Wyoming coal operations have
a lower cost  structure  than coal at Arch Coal's other coal  operations.  Other
factors affecting the per ton information  include the expiration of the Georgia
Power contract in December, 1997, the closing of Mine No. 37 in 1998, production
shortfalls at the Hobet 21 mine and Dal-Tex mine in 1998, reduced shipments on a
high margin  contract in 1998, a $4.2 million  favorable  adjustment to workers'
compensation  in 1997 (of  which  $.7  million  affected  selling,  general  and
administrative  expenses)  and the 1997  completion  of  amortization  on a 1993
unrecognized net gain related to pneumoconiosis (black lung) liabilities.

As a  result  of  certain  super-majority  voting  rights,  Arch  Western's  65%
ownership of Canyon Fuel is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Income  from equity  investments  represents  Arch Coal's  share (65%) of Canyon
Fuel's net income (after adjusting for the effect of Arch's investment in Canyon
Fuel) since the June 1, 1998, date of acquisition.

Other  revenues were $32.4 million  higher in the first nine months of 1998 than
the same period in 1997, primarily as a result of the $29.6 million pre-tax gain
from sales of surplus land and other  properties  during the third quarter 1998,
including  the sale of inactive coal  properties  in eastern  Kentucky for $18.5
million.

Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses increased $10.6 million from the
comparable  period in 1997,  primarily  due to the effects of the  Ashland  Coal
merger,  the Arch Western  transaction and the favorable  workers'  compensation
adjustment of $.7 million during the second quarter of 1997 described above.

Amortization  of coal supply  agreements  increased  $14.0 million from the nine
months  ended  September  30,  1997.  This  increase  was  attributable  to  the
amortization  of the  carrying  value of the  sales  contracts  acquired  in the
Ashland Coal merger and Arch Western transaction.

Other  expenses  increased  $4.0  million  from the  comparable  period  in 1997
primarily  as a result of  accruing  additional  liabilities  related to adverse
litigation   developments   and  higher  expenses  at  the  Company's  Ark  Land
subsidiary.  Ark Land  expenses  rose as a result of the Ashland Coal merger and
the Arch  Western  transaction.  The second  quarter of 1997  included  the $1.5
million final settlement of the Trail Mountain lawsuit.

Interest expense for the first nine months of 1998 was $26.0 million higher than
the same period in 1997.  The increase is  attributable  to the debt incurred in
connection with the Arch Western transaction effective June 1, 1998.

The Company's  effective tax rate is sensitive to changes in estimates of annual
profitability and percentage depletion.

During the first nine months of 1998, Arch Coal incurred an extraordinary charge
of $1.5  million  net of a tax  benefit  of $.9  million  related  to the  early
extinguishment of debt in conjunction with the Arch Western transaction.

EBITDA (income (loss) from operations before the effect of changes in accounting
principles and extraordinary items,  merger-related costs, net interest expense,
income  taxes,  depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization  for Arch Coal,  it


                                       12
<PAGE>


subsidiaries  and equity  investments)  was $228.2  million  for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1998 compared to $152.2  million for the same period a year
ago. The increase in EBITDA is primarily  attributable  to the additional  sales
that resulted from the Ashland Coal merger and the Arch Western transaction.

Outlook

Arch Coal's strategic  position has been further  strengthened by its successful
October 1, 1998,  $158 million bid on the 3,546 acre  Thundercloud  tract in the
Powder  River Basin of Wyoming.  The tract has  favorable  geologic  conditions,
contains  demonstrated  coal reserves of approximately 412 million tons of Clean
Air Act Phase II compliance  quality coal and is  contiguous  with the Company's
Black  Thunder  mine.  The Company  plans to add a fourth  dragline at the Black
Thunder mine in late 2000 to begin mining the Thundercloud tract.

With respect to other  operations,  management  has decided to continue  reduced
coal  mining  operations  during  the  remainder  of 1998 at the  Seminoe II and
Medicine Bow mines in Wyoming as a result of  oversupply  of competing  coals in
this market. The previously disclosed scheduled closures of the Hobet 07 Complex
in West  Virginia and the Arch of Illinois  surface mine due to the depletion of
their economical  dedicated reserves and the closure of Mine No. 37 in Kentucky,
all in 1998,  have  reduced  production.  Production  losses as a result of such
reduced  mining and mine  closures have been offset to some degree by production
from Mingo  Logan's new surface mine in the Phoenix  reserves,  which  commenced
production  in the second  quarter of 1998.  The  Company  expects the poor rail
service to its Western operations to improve, although such service may continue
to hinder  performance  through the fourth quarter of 1998.  Fourth quarter 1998
results also will be adversely affected by continuing  production  shortfalls at
Hobet 21,  unexpected  geologic  difficulties  at the Huff  Creek  mine and idle
shifts at the Darby Fork mine as a result of a fatality that  occurred  there in
early October, 1998.

On October  30,  1998,  as a result of not having  secured  new  permits for the
Dal-Tex operation in a timely fashion,  the Company issued Worker Adjustment and
Retraining  Notifications  ("WARN  Notices") to employees at its Dal-Tex Mine in
Logan County, West Virginia.  Under the WARN Act, a company must provide workers
with at least 60 days advance  notification before layoffs can occur.  Potential
layoffs and  curtailment of operations at that complex could occur if the mining
operation  does not receive the  necessary  permits to continue  mining from the
West  Virginia  Department  of  Environmental   Protection  ("DEP"),   the  U.S.
Environmental  Protection Agency ("EPA") or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the
("Corps").  The permitting has been delayed by legal challenges.

The required  permits  consist of a surface  mining permit issued by the DEP, an
NPDES Permit  approved by the EPA and a "dredge and fill"  permit under  Section
404 of the Clean Water Act issued by the Corps.  On  November  4, 1998,  the DEP
issued the required surface mining permit.  Prior to the commencement of mining,
however,  the NPDES  Permit must be approved by the EPA and the Corps must issue
the dredge and fill  permit,  and  claimants  are seeking to have the DEP permit
revoked.  On October 24, 1998, a public  hearing on the NPDES Permit was held by
the EPA.  The EPA must allow at least thirty days for public  comment  after the
hearing  prior to making a  decision  about  the  permit.  Substantial  delay or
failure to issue the unissued  permits,  revocation of the issued DEP permit, or
the  issuance  of NPDES or dredge and fill  permits  which  restrict  the use of
valley fills,  would have further adverse effects on the Dal-Tex  operations and
the  Company's  results  of  operations.  Depending  upon  the  duration  of the
curtailment of Dal-Tex  operations or the nature of any restrictions  imposed in
the NPDES and dredge and fill  permits on the use of valley  fills,  the adverse
effect could be material.  For additional  discussion of these matters,  see the
"Legal Contingencies" subsection of the Contingencies section below.

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 nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997:


                                       13
<PAGE>


                                              1998           1997
                                            ----------    ----------
                                                 (in thousands)
          Cash provided by (used in):
            Operating activities            $  182,168    $ 122,148
            Investing activities            (1,184,458)     (57,306)
            Financing activities             1,018,283      (61,257)

Cash provided by operating activities increased in the first nine months of 1998
from the level in the same period of 1997,  due  primarily  to the Ashland  Coal
merger and the Arch Western transaction.

The increase in cash used for  investing  activities in the first nine months of
1998  primarily  resulted  from the payment of $1.1  billion in the Arch Western
transaction. In addition, the Company had higher capital expenditures associated
with  the  start  up of a new  surface  mine  in the  Phoenix  reserves  in West
Virginia, a $16 million annual royalty payment on a lease acquired in 1992 and a
bid deposit of $31.6 million related to the  Thundercloud  tract lease. In 1998,
cash was provided by $26.3 million of proceeds on the sale of property plant and
equipment, including the sale of inactive coal properties in eastern Kentucky.

Cash provided by financing activities reflects an increase in borrowings of $1.1
billion  associated  with the Arch Western  transaction  net of associated  debt
repayment.  Arch  Coal  repaid  approximately  $35.7  million  of  senior  notes
concurrently  with its borrowings to finance the Arch Western  transaction.  The
January 1998 sale and  leaseback of equipment  resulted in net proceeds of $45.4
million.

The Company's  capital  expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 1998
were $65.3 million.  Approximately  $8.0 million of these  expenditures were for
equipment  upgrades at the Lone  Mountain  complex,  including the addition of a
third section to the Darby Fork mine. Equipment upgrades at the Conant mine, the
Hobet 21 mine/Beth  Station  preparation  plant,  the Ruffner mine and the Mingo
Logan longwall mine accounted for $3.0 million,  $3.6 million,  $3.7 million and
$9.0 million,  respectively,  during the period. Equipment purchases to start up
the new Phoenix  surface mine totaled  approximately  $10.3  million  during the
period.

In connection  with the Arch Western  transaction,  Arch Coal retired its senior
notes of $35.7  million and paid off  amounts  borrowed  under the $500  million
credit  facility and entered into three new five-year  credit  facilities with a
group of banks. As a result,  the Company  incurred an  extraordinary  charge of
$1.5 million net of tax for the early  retirement of debt.  The rate of interest
on the borrowings under the agreements is, at the Company's option, the PNC Bank
base rate or a rate based on LIBOR.

The Company  periodically  establishes  uncommitted  lines of credit with banks.
These agreements generally provide for short-term borrowings at market rates. At
September 30, 1998, the face amount of such agreements was $20 million and there
were borrowings of $2.5 million outstanding under these agreements.

The Company's ability to satisfy its debt service and lease payment  obligations
will depend upon the future  operating  performance of its  subsidiaries,  which
will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the markets they serve and
financial,  business  and  other  factors,  certain  of which are  beyond  their
control.  (See the Risk Factors Disclosure below).  Based upon current operating
performance,  the Company  believes that cash flow from operations and available
cash, together with available  borrowings under the Company's credit facilities,
will be adequate to meet the Company's current liquidity needs.  However,  there
can be no  assurance  that  the  Company's  future  operating  performance  will
generate  sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be
available in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to fund its debt service
and lease payment obligations or its other liquidity needs.


                                       14
<PAGE>


Contingencies

Reclamation

The federal  Surface  Mining Control and  Reclamation  Act of 1977 ("SMCRA") 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 of final
mine closure common to both types of mining are related to reclaiming refuse and
slurry  ponds.  The Company also  accrues for  significant  reclamation  that is
completed   during  the  mining  process  prior  to  final  mine  closure.   The
establishment  of the final mine  closure  reclamation  liability  and the other
ongoing  reclamation  liability is based upon permit  requirements  and requires
various  estimates  and  assumptions,  principally  associated  with  costs  and
productivities.

The  Company  reviews  its entire  environmental  liability  annually  and makes
necessary  adjustments,  including  permit  changes and  revisions  to costs and
productivities to reflect current  experience.  These recosting  adjustments are
recorded to cost of coal sales. No adjustments  were recorded in the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. A favorable adjustment of $3.3 million was recorded in
the first  nine  months of 1997 at the  Company's  Illinois  operation  due to a
change in permit  requirements.  The Company's  management believes it is making
adequate provisions for all expected reclamation and other associated costs.

Legal Contingencies

The Company is a party to numerous  claims and lawsuits  with respect to various
matters, including those discussed below. 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 at September
30, 1998 its probable  aggregate loss as a result of such claims is $6.4 million
(included in other noncurrent  liabilities) and believes that probable insurance
recoveries  of $.7 million  (included in other  assets)  related to these claims
will be realized.  The Company estimates that its reasonably  possible aggregate
losses from all material  currently  pending  litigation could be as much as $.6
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.

Disputes exist with customers under two  above-market,  large volume,  long-term
coal  supply  agreements  acquired  in  the  acquisition  of  ARCO's  U.S.  coal
operations. The customer under one contract being supplied by Canyon Fuel claims
that a gross inequity exists under the contract  because the price at which coal
is being sold under the  contract  significantly  exceeds  the market  price for
similar quality coal. The customer under another  contract,  supplied by Thunder
Basin,  principally  alleges it is entitled  to relief  because the price of the
coal being sold under the contract was intended to track the  producer's  actual
cost rather than being  determined by reference to the specific price adjustment
provisions set forth in the contract.

Another  customer of the Company has  informed the Company that one of its power
plants will no longer provide baseload  capacity to a public utility and instead
will be used to provide  peak demand only.  As a result,  the plant will require
substantially less coal under the customer's existing above-market contract with
the Company.  The Company filed a civil action in Federal  District Court in the
Southern  District of West Virginia alleging breach of contract and other causes
of action  against the customer in respect of the  customer's  failure to comply
with the  terms of this  contract.  On July 17,  1998,  the  court  granted  the
customer's motion to stay the lawsuit pending  arbitration.  As of September 30,
1998,  the carrying  amount of acquisition  costs  allocated to this coal supply
contract is approximately  $14.5 million.  The Company currently expects that it
will recover the carrying amount of this asset, however, the ultimate outcome of
this matter is uncertain.

On October 24, 1996, the rock strata  overlaying an old,  abandoned  underground
mine adjacent to the coal-refuse  impoundment used by an Arch Coal  subsidiary's
preparation plant failed,  resulting in an accidental discharge of approximately


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<PAGE>


6.3 million gallons of water and fine coal slurry into a tributary of the Powell
River in Lee County,  Virginia.  Certain civil actions  regarding  this incident
were  resolved  in 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 opened a criminal  investigation  of the 1996
incident. Arch Coal is cooperating with the investigation,  the results of which
are not expected until sometime in 1999.

On July 16, 1998, 10  individuals  and The West Virginia  Highlands  Conservancy
filed  suit in U. S.  District  Court  in  Charleston,  West  Virginia  alleging
violations  of SMCRA and the federal  Clean Water Act.  The director of the West
Virginia Division of Environmental  Protection ("DEP") and officials of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers  (the "Corps") are named as defendants in the suit.  The
complaint alleges that the DEP has violated its duties under SMCRA and the Clean
Water Act by approving surface mining permits that authorize the construction of
"valley fills", the large, engineered works into which the excess earth and rock
extracted  during surface mining are placed.  The DEP's approval of such permits
is alleged to "result in unpermitted discharges of pollutants into state waters,
violations of state water quality standards,  disturbance to the 100-foot buffer
zone around streams,  [and]  destruction to riparian  vegetation." The complaint
also  alleges that the DEP has failed to require that lands mined be restored to
"Approximate  Original  Contour"  and that  approved  post-mining  land  uses be
enforced following reclamation.

The complaint also alleges that the Corps has  unlawfully  failed to require the
preparation of environmental  impact statements prior to issuing Clean Water Act
"dredge and fill" permits  contemplating  valley fills,  that the Corps does not
possess the  statutory  authority  to permit  valley fills under the Clean Water
Act,  and that even if it does possess the  authority to permit such fills,  the
regulatory structure the Corps has utilized since 1988 is inappropriate for this
purpose.  Declaratory  and  injunctive  relief is sought against the DEP and the
Corps on all of these counts, and the claimants  specifically seek to enjoin the
Corps,  "from  granting any permits  under ss.404 of the Clean Water Act for any
valley fills."

Four indirect,  wholly-owned  subsidiaries of the Company currently hold a total
of nine  permits that are  identified  in the  complaint as violating  the legal
standards that the plaintiffs have requested the district court to interpret. In
addition,  a pending permit  application for the Company's  Dal-Tex operation is
specifically  identified as a permit whose  issuance  should be enjoined.  Three
subsidiaries  of the Company  intervened  in the lawsuit in support of the Corps
and the DEP on August 6, 1998, and have vigorously opposed  plaintiffs'  claims.
The Dal-Tex DEP surface mining permit  application which was pending at the time
the  lawsuit  was  filed  was  approved  by the DEP on  November  4,  1998.  The
plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary  restraining order seeking  revocation
of  the  DEP  permit  pending  a  hearing  on  their  motion  for a  preliminary
injunction.  That hearing is scheduled  for December 10, 1998.  The court denied
plaintiffs' motion for the temporary restraining order on November 9, 1998.

Notwithstanding  the  issuance of the DEP surface  mining  permit,  prior to the
commencement of mining on the new reserve area at Dal-Tex, the NPDES Permit must
be approved by the EPA and the dredge and fill permit  under  Section 404 of the
Clean  Water Act must be issued by the Corps.  As  previously  disclosed  by the
Company,  the Company  believes the delay in issuing the permits has resulted in
losses of  approximately  $1.0 million per month for the last several  months at
the Dal-Tex operations.  The U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency ("EPA") filed
its specific objections to the surface mining application filed by the Company's
Dal-Tex  operation on August 4, 1998. Under the system of permitting for a large
surface coal mine, the DEP is responsible  for issuing the surface mining permit
which  includes as a component  the  National  Pollutant  Discharge  Elimination
System ("NPDES") permit.  The NPDES program,  which the EPA has delegated to the
DEP  pursuant  to the Clean  Water  Act,  covers  all  discharges  of water from
sedimentation  ponds  constructed  at the  mine as well as  other  point  source
discharges  which may arise in the course of coal  mining.  Notwithstanding  the
delegation  of this  authority  to the DEP,  the EPA  retains the right to issue
objections to a draft NPDES permit which the state has proposed.

The Company has  provided the EPA with  substantial  information  regarding  the
proposed mining operation  described in the Dal-Tex surface mining  application,
and it will continue to cooperate  with the EPA in an effort to secure  issuance
of the NPDES  permit.  The Company  believes  the dredge and fill permit will be
issued by the Corps if issuance of the NPDES  permit is  authorized  by the EPA.
There can be no assurance, however, that the EPA will withdraw its objections to
the NPDES permit or that the Corps will issue the dredge and fill permit,  or if
issued,  when such  issuances  will occur.  The EPA held a public hearing on the


                                       16
<PAGE>


NPDES  permit on October 24, 1998 and must allow at least thirty days for public
comment on the permit after the hearing prior to making a decision.  Substantial
further delay or failure to issue the unissued permits, revocation of the issued
DEP permit or the  issuance of NPDES or dredge and fill permits  which  restrict
the use of valley  fills,  would have  further  adverse  effects on the  Dal-Tex
operations and the Company's results of operations.  Depending upon the duration
of the  curtailment  of Dal-Tex  operations  or the  nature of any  restrictions
imposed by the permits on the use of valley fills,  the adverse  effect could be
material.

Canyon Fuel is in litigation with the Skyline  Partners,  the lessor of the coal
reserves which  comprise  Canyon Fuel's Skyline Mine. The coal lease in question
was entered into between the Coastal Coal Corporation, Canyon Fuel's predecessor
in  interest,  and the Skyline  Partners.  The coal lease  requires  the lessee,
Canyon Fuel, to pay an annual advance  minimum  royalty of $5 million,  which is
fully recoupable  against a production royalty that is to be paid by Canyon Fuel
on each ton of coal  mined and sold from the  leasehold.  In 1997,  Canyon  Fuel
concluded that a number of  recoverable  tons which remain on the leasehold were
insufficient  to allow  Canyon Fuel to fully  recoup the total amount of advance
royalties  that have been paid to the Skyline  Partners,  and filed suit in Utah
State  Court  against  the  Skyline  Partners  alleging  that Canyon Fuel is not
required to make the final  minimum  advance  royalty  payment of $5 million and
seeking to recover $2.1 million in advance minimum royalties paid to the Skyline
Partners  that Canyon Fuel will not be able to recoup  based upon the  estimated
number of  recoverable  tons under the lease.  In  November  1997,  the  Skyline
Partners filed a companion case in federal  district court in Colorado,  seeking
to  compel  Canyon  Fuel to pay the  last $5  million  advance  minimum  royalty
payment,  and  alleging a default  under the lease.  To date,  these  cases have
principally involved procedural disputes concerning proper venue for the case.

The Company has agreed in  principle  to pay $2.0 million to settle a claim made
by a third party that  longwall  mining at the  Company's  Mingo  Logan  complex
damaged an overlying  seam of coal that had been subleased by the Company to the
third party.  The  settlement  of the lawsuit is expected to be finalized in the
fourth  quarter of 1998,  subject to  negotiation  and  execution of  definitive
agreements.

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. Historically, the Company's credit losses have 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 risk of price redeterminations 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,  sometimes 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 the prospect of Clean Air Act Phase II  requirements
have  had,  or  are  expected  to  have,  the  effect  of  further  intensifying
competition  among producers.  Some competing  producers,  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 results of
operations.

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 Company's Apogee Coal Company  ("Apogee") and Hobet Mining,  Inc.  ("Hobet")
subsidiaries are covered by the National  Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement of 1998
("Wage  Agreement"),  which  provides  for  certain  wage  rates  and  benefits.
Employees of two other operating  subsidiaries  are covered by other  collective


                                       17
<PAGE>


bargaining  organizations,  and  employees  at  the  Company's  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 are the wage rates paid under 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, the price adjustment provisions in its
older 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. However, the increasingly shorter terms of sales contracts and the
consequent  absence of price  adjustment  provisions  in such shorter  long-term
contracts  also make it more likely that  increases  in mining  costs during the
contract  term  will not be  recovered  by the  Company  through  a later  price
adjustment.  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 secure  stable  revenues  to finance  operations  and
expansion and to limit exposure to depressed spot market prices by entering into
long-term coal supply agreements,  which ordinarily provide for prices in excess
of spot market prices.  The Company's ability to benefit from rising spot market
prices or hedge against  falling spot market prices  depends on the level of its
sales commitments.

Interest rate risk - Arch Coal has significant  debt which is linked to variable
interest  rates.  If interest  rates rise,  Arch Coal's costs  relative to those
obligations would also rise. Arch Coal believes an increase in interest rates is
usually an outgrowth of a higher level of economic  activity and that  increased
economic  activity  would  likely lead to a higher  demand for  electricity  and
consequently to higher spot prices for coal.  Accordingly,  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.

Terms of the Company's credit  facilities and leases contain financial and other
restrictive  covenants  that limit the ability of the  Company  to,  among other
things, pay dividends, effect acquisitions or dispositions and borrow additional
funds,  and  require  the  Company to,  among  other  things,  maintain  various
financial ratios and comply with various other financial  covenants.  Failure by
the Company to comply with such  covenants  could  result in an event of default
which,  if not cured or  waived,  could have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company.

The Company  enters into  interest-rate  swap  agreements to modify the interest
characteristics  of outstanding  Arch Coal debt. For further  information  about
these agreements,  See Note E to the Company's Condensed  Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 1 above.

Impact of Year 2000

Computer programs used by the Company for financial and operational purposes are
being  reprogrammed to be "Year 2000" compliant.  The "Year 2000 problem" exists
because many existing computer programs and embedded chip  microprocessors  were
programmed  to read the "00" in a year  2000  entry  as  1900,  or will  fail to
recognize "00" as a date at all. Failure to read the date properly or at all may
cause  miscalculations,  or simply cause the program or  microprocessor  to send
errant commands or cease functioning.

Assessment/Remediation  Plan - Arch Coal began its assessment of its exposure to
the Year 2000  problem  prior to the Arch  Mineral/Ashland  Coal merger in June,
1997,  when, in  connection  with the necessary  integration  of two  companies'
information services technology,  a comprehensive plan for achieving an internal
information   services   system  free  of  Year  2000   concerns   was  adopted.
Implementation  of this plan commenced  upon  consummation  of this merger,  and
essentially called for company-wide replacement of key financial,  informational
and operational  computer systems with standardized  equipment and programs that
were   programmed  to  properly   process  year  2000  entries.   The  plan  for
standardizing  key internal systems was modified to incorporate the key internal
information systems acquired in the June 1998 Arch Western transaction.

In April 1998, the Company  implemented the first phase of its Year 2000 plan by
installing a new Oracle  General  Ledger  running on Year 2000 compliant HP 9000
servers and operating systems. In October 1998, the Company implemented Oracle's
Human Resource system and plans to begin rolling out a new payroll system to all
the  Company's  locations  during  the first  half of 1999.  The  Company  began


                                       18
<PAGE>


installation  of  Mincom  Inc.  systems  in July 1998 to  replace  non-compliant
purchasing, inventory and accounts payable systems. The scheduled completion for
installation  of these Mincom systems at all the Company's  mining  locations is
October 31, 1999. All desktop  computers,  network devices and related  software
are being tested and are replaced if there is a Year 2000  problem.  The Company
has standardized Windows 95, Office 95, and NT file/printer  servers,  effective
in October 1998.

Arch Coal began the process of evaluating  potential  Year 2000 problems  within
its mining  and  processing  equipment  and within  its  systems  and  processes
interfacing  with, and hence dependent upon, third party systems,  in late 1997.
The effort to identify  potential  Year 2000 problems  within Arch Coal's mining
and processing  equipment and in its  interfaces  with third parties is ongoing.
When  complete,  customers,  financial  institutions,   vendors,  manufacturers,
transportation  companies and others with whom the Company conducts business and
where the  interruption of such business could have a material adverse affect on
Arch Coal will be  contacted,  and cost  effective  efforts made to remediate or
minimize possible problems.

Assuming the  cooperation  of third  parties in  connection  with the  Company's
efforts, the Company believes that it will be able to complete its assessment of
material  adverse  risk  associated  with Year 2000  problems  in its mining and
processing   equipment  and  within  such  third  party  systems  and  processes
sufficiently  in advance of January 1, 2000, to effect  remedial  measures where
such  measures  are  possible and cost  effective.  The current  target date for
completing  the  assessment  is  February  28,  1999  and the  target  date  for
completing any remedial measures is July 31, 1999.

Costs of Plan - To date,  Arch Coal has expended  approximately  $4.7 million of
the total  estimated $7 million  required to eliminate Year 2000 concerns within
the Company's internal  information systems. The cost of the project is based on
management's  best estimates and there can be no assurance that these  estimates
will be achieved.  Pending completion of the assessment of mining and processing
equipment and third party system and processes risk, no amount can be reasonably
estimated for remediation in these areas.

Year 2000 Risk - The risks  posed to the Company by the Year 2000  problems  are
difficult  to  quantify  with  certainty.  The  Company's  Year  2000  plan  for
reconfiguring and standardizing internal information systems to properly process
year 2000  information  is dependent  upon several  factors beyond the Company's
immediate control.  These factors include,  for example,  retention of qualified
information  services  personnel  in  a  highly  competitive  labor  market  and
integrity  of local and long  distance  carriers'  Year  2000  telecommunication
networks,  which will be  necessary  for  operation of the  Company's  wide area
network.  In addition,  while the  estimated  completion  date of the  Company's
reconfiguration  efforts will permit some testing of the internal  systems,  the
schedule would not likely give Arch Coal adequate time to address defects in the
system's  Year 2000  processing  if vendors'  or  consultants'  warranties  with
respect to the new systems are not true.  The  unavailability  of the  Company's
internal information systems for a sustained period would have an adverse affect
on the Company. Depending upon the nature of the unavailability of the Company's
internal  information  systems,  the  adverse  effect  on the  Company  could be
material.

With  respect to the  Company's  mining and  processing  equipment,  the Company
believes  the  greatest  risk posed is that any of its  multitude  of  sampling,
processing and loading equipment at its mines,  loadouts and terminals ceases to
function as a result of a processing  error not identified  and/or  corrected in
the  Company's  assessment/remediation  plan.  Such  failures  could  result  in
breaches in or defaults under the Company's coal sales  contracts (some of which
contain prices  substantially  above current market).  Termination of certain or
multiple coal sales contracts  could have an adverse effect on the Company,  and
depending on the contracts involved,  the adverse effect on the Company could be
material.

Finally,  the Company  believes  the  greatest  Year 2000 risks are posed by the
Company's  interfaces  with third party services,  systems and processes.  Chief
among these risks are the loss of electrical power or transportation services at
mine  sites  where the  Company  is captive  to a single  service  provider  and
alternatives are unavailable or economically  impractical.  Loss of service from
any of these  single  service  providers  would  have an  adverse  affect on the
Company. Depending upon the nature of the loss of service, the adverse effect on
the Company could be material.


                                       19
<PAGE>


Contingency Plans - The Company has not established a formal contingency plan to
address  failures in the Company's Year 2000  assessment and  remediation  plan.
Contingency  plans will be developed  for any area of the Year 2000  remediation
effort where such effort is incomplete,  the consequence of a possible Year 2000
problem is  materially  adverse and a viable  contingency  plan is possible  and
economically reasonable.

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  adjustments,
redeterminations,  renegotiations  or suspensions of deliveries under, such coal
supply agreements.  Other short and long-term  contracts define base or optional
tonnage  requirements  by reference  to the  customers  requirements,  which are
subject to change as a result of factors  beyond the  Company's  (and in certain
instances  the  customers')  control,  including  utility  deregulation.   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, and redetermination
provisions  provide for an upward or downward  adjustment in the contract  price
based  on  market  factors.   The  contracts  also  typically  include  penalty,
suspension   and/or   termination   provisions   for  failure  to  meet  quality
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  occasionally  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 or if the utility has
unexpected  difficulties  in utilizing  the Company's  coal.  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
power, 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 also are subject to a variety of regulatory,
operational, geologic, transportation and weather-related factors that routinely
cause production to fluctuate.

Coal  mining  is  subject  to  strict  regulation  by  federal,  state and local
authorities.  The scope of the regulation includes  environmental and health and
safety matters, and permits are required to be obtained by mining companies, the
terms of which  permits  strictly  regulate  the  environmental  effects of coal
mining by the permittee.  Numerous  permits are required for mining  operations.
The Company believes all permits  required to conduct present mining  operations
have been obtained.  The Company  believes that, upon the filing of the required
information with the appropriate  regulatory agencies, all permits necessary for
continuing operations will be obtained. Nevertheless, the regulatory authorities
exercise considerable discretion in the timing of permit issuance.  Because both
private  individuals  and the public at large  possess  rights to comment on and
otherwise engage in the permitting  process,  including through  intervention in
the courts, no assurance can be made that all permits will be issued in a timely
manner or that permitting requirements will not be changed in a manner adversely
affecting  the  Company.  See  the  "Legal  Contingencies"   subsection  of  the
"Contingencies"  section  of this  report  above  for a  discussion  of  pending
proceedings   that  could   adversely   affect  the  permits  of  the  Company's
subsidiaries.

Operational  factors affecting  production include anticipated and unanticipated
events. For example,  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  anticipated  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.   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  depend  to a large  degree on
availability of labor and equipment, timely issuance of permits and the weather.


                                       20
<PAGE>

Sales  can  be  adversely   affected  by   fluctuations  in  production  and  by
transportation delays arising from equipment  unavailability and weather-related
events, such as flooding.

Changes in  transportation  rates and service also  significantly  influence the
Company's results.  If lower costs are realized and freight rates are lowered as
a consequence of mergers among railroads,  operational changes or other factors,
the coal of some  producers  could  become less costly on a delivered  basis and
therefore  gain  competitive  advantage over the Company's coal in some markets.
Service disruptions and railcar shortages also may have an adverse effect on the
Company's sales and production.

Geologic  conditions  within  mines are not  uniform.  Overburden  ratios at the
surface mines vary, as do roof and floor conditions, seam thickness and geologic
anomalies 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.

Apogee and Hobet operations are parties 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 mining  complexes.  Any future strike or work stoppage that
affected these  operations for a prolonged  period could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations.

Any  one or a  combination  of  changing  demand;  fluctuating  selling  prices;
contract penalties, suspensions or terminations;  routine operational, geologic,
transportation  and  weather-related  factors;  unexpected  regulatory  changes;
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. The effect of such a disruption
at Mingo  Logan  operations  would be  particularly  severe  because of the high
volume of coal produced by those operations and the relatively high contribution
to operating income from the sale of such coal.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The quantitative and qualitative disclosures of market risk under SEC Regulation
S-K, Item 305, will be provided, in accordance with the SEC's requirements,  for
the Company's fiscal years ending after June 15, 1998.  Reference is made to the
second  paragraph  under the Interest  Rate Risk  subsection of the Certain Risk
Factors  discussion of this report for information  about the Company's  current
derivatives positions.  The Company accrues amounts to be paid or received under
its interest  rate swap  agreements  over the lives of the  agreements,  thereby
adjusting the  effective  interest  rate on the  Company's  debt.  The Company's
current accounting policies with respect to its current derivatives positions do
not  materially  affect the  Company's  determination  of earnings or  financial
position.  The  Company  has not yet  determined  what  the  effect  of FAS 133,
"Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" - to be adopted
in 2000 - will have on its future  earnings  and  financial  position.  For more
information  about FAS 133, see Note K to the Company's  Condensed  Consolidated
Financial Statements above.


                                       21
<PAGE>


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The fourth,  fifth,  sixth,  seventh,  eighth and ninth  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.  The audit of the Company's federal income tax
returns for years 1992-1994 previously disclosed in response to this Item in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, was
settled in November, 1998. The Company had adequately provided for all taxes due
in  connection  with  the  settlement.  In  addition,  in  connection  with  the
identification  of the Company's Apogee  subsidiary as a potentially  responsive
party under the Comprehensive  Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act and the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act of 1996, as disclosed in
the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1997,  Apogee was notified by another party to the  proceeding  that the Company
would be indemnified by such party from liability in connection with the alleged
release of hazardous chemicals.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)

2.1  Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  dated as of March 22,  1998  among  Atlantic
     Richfield  Company,  ARCO Uinta Coal  Company,  Arch  Coal,  Inc.  and Arch
     Western  Acquisition  Corporation*  (incorporated  herein by  reference  to
     Exhibit  2.1 of the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed  June 15,
     1998, with the SEC (the "8-K)).

2.2  Contribution  Agreement among Arch Coal,  Inc., Arch Western,  Arch Western
     Acquisition  Corporation,  Atlantic Richfield Company, Delta Housing, Inc.,
     and Arch Western  Resources LLC, dated as of March 22, 1998*  (incorporated
     herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the 8-K).

3.1  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of Arch Coal,  Inc.  (incorporated
     herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's  registration statement
     on Form S-4, registration number 333-28149 (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 by 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,  except for amended  Schedule I, filed
     herewith).

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).
- -----------------
 * Portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential request.

Certain  exhibits and schedules to the Exhibits filed herewith have been omitted
in accordance  with Item 601(b)(2) of the Regulation  S-K. A copy of any omitted
exhibit or schedule will be furnished to the Commission upon request.


                                       22
<PAGE>


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  $600,000,000  Revolving  Credit  Facility,  $300,000,000  Term Loan  Credit
     Agreement by and among Arch Coal,  Inc., the Lender's  party  thereto,  PNC
     Bank, National Association,  as Administrative Agent, Morgan Guaranty Trust
     Company of New York, as Syndication  Agent,  and First Union National Bank,
     as Documentation  Agent, dated as of June 1, 1998  (incorporated  herein by
     reference to Exhibit 4.1 in the 8-K).

4.6  $675,000,000   Term  Loan  Credit  Agreement  by  and  among  Arch  Western
     Resources,  LLC, the Bank's party thereto, PNC Bank, National  Association,
     as  Administrative  Agent,  Morgan  Guaranty  Trust Company of New York, as
     Syndication Agent, and NationsBank N.A., as Documentation Agent dated as of
     June 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 8-K).

4.7  Omnibus  Amendment  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1998 in  respect to Arch
     Coal Trust No.  1998-1,  Parent  Guaranty and Suretyship  Agreement,  Lease
     Intended as Security,  Subsidiary Guaranty and Suretyship  Agreement,  each
     dated as of January 15, 1998,  among  Apogee Coal  Company,  Catenary  Coal
     Company.  Hobet Mining,  Inc., Arch Coal,  Inc.,  Great-West Life & Annuity
     Insurance  Company,  Bank of  Montreal,  Barclays  Bank,  PLC,  First Union
     National  Bank, BA Leasing and Capital  Corporation,  First  Security Bank,
     National Association,  Arch Coal Sales Company, Inc., Ark Land Company, and
     Mingo Logan Coal Company  (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3
     in the 8-K).

27   Financial Data Schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     Reports on Form 8-K dated  July 22,  1998  (reporting  that  Ashland  Inc.,
     pursuant  to  its  exercise  of   registration   rights,   would   register
     approximately 2.1 million Company shares for sale in an underwritten public
     offering) and August 12, 1998 (reporting  that Ashland Inc.  terminated its
     exercise of registration  rights with respect to approximately  2.1 million
     Company  shares and would not offer such shares in an  underwritten  public
     offering) and a report on Form 8-K/A (amending Item 7 of the Form 8-K dated
     June 1, 1998, to add audited  financial  statements in connection  with the
     Arch  Western  transaction)  were filed  during the period  covered by this
     report and up to and including the date of filing of this report.

  

                                       23
<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:  November ___, 1998                   /s/   Patrick A. Kriegshauser       
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Patrick A. Kriegshauser
                                            Senior Vice President, Chief 
                                             Financial Officer and Treasurer 
                                             (Principal Financial Officer)

Date:  November  ___, 1998                 /s/   Jeffry N. Quinn                
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            Jeffry N. Quinn
                                            Senior Vice President, General 
                                             Counsel and Secretary (Duly 
                                             Authorized Officer)



                                       24
<PAGE>


Arch Coal, Inc.
                       Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended September 30, 1998

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

2.1  Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  dated as of March 22,  1998  among  Atlantic
     Richfield  Company,  ARCO Uinta Coal  Company,  Arch  Coal,  Inc.  and Arch
     Western  Acquisition  Corporation*  (incorporated  herein by  reference  to
     Exhibit  2.1 to the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed  June 15,
     1998, with the SEC (the "8-K"))

2.2  Contribution  Agreement among Arch Coal,  Inc., Arch Western,  Arch Western
     Acquisition  Corporation,  Atlantic Richfield Company, Delta Housing, Inc.,
     and Arch Western  Resources LLC, dated as of March 22, 1998*  (incorporated
     herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the 8-K).

3.1  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of Arch Coal,  Inc.  (incorporated
     herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's  registration statement
     on Form S-4, registration number 333-28149 (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 by 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,  except for amended  Schedule I, filed
     herewith).

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  $600,000,000  Revolving  Credit  Facility,  $300,000,000  Term Loan  Credit
     Agreement by and among Arch Coal,  Inc., the Lender's  party  thereto,  PNC
     Bank, National Association,  as Administrative Agent, Morgan Guaranty Trust
     Company of New York, as Syndication  Agent,  and First Union National Bank,
     as Documentation  Agent, dated as of June 1, 1998  (incorporated  herein by
     reference to Exhibit 4.1 in the 8-K).

4.6  $675,000,000   Term  Loan  Credit  Agreement  by  and  among  Arch  Western
     Resources,  LLC, the Bank's party thereto, PNC Bank, National  Association,
     as  Administrative  Agent,  Morgan  Guaranty  Trust Company of New York, as
     Syndication Agent, and NationsBank N.A., as Documentation Agent dated as of
     June 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 8-K).

4.7  Omnibus  Amendment  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1998 in  respect to Arch
     Coal Trust No.  1998-1,  Parent  Guaranty and Suretyship  Agreement,  Lease
     Intended as Security,  Subsidiary Guaranty and Suretyship  Agreement,  each
     dated as of January 15, 1998,  among  Apogee Coal  Company,  Catenary  Coal
     Company.  Hobet Mining,  Inc., Arch Coal,  Inc.,  Great-West Life & Annuity
     Insurance  Company,  Bank of  Montreal,  Barclays  Bank,  PLC,  First Union
     National  Bank, BA Leasing and Capital  Corporation,  First  Security Bank,
     National Association,  Arch Coal Sales Company, Inc., Ark Land Company, and
     Mingo Logan Coal Company  (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3
     in the 8-K).

27   Financial Data Schedule
- --------
*  Portions  of  the  exhibit  have  been  omitted  pursuant  to a  request  for
confidential request.

Certain  exhibits and schedules to the Exhibits filed herewith have been omitted
in accordance  with Item 601(b)(2) of the Regulation  S-K. A copy of any omitted
exhibit or schedule will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

                                       25
<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I



Lyda Hunt-Herbert Trust - Douglas H. Hunt
Lyda Hunt-Herbert Trust - Barbara A. Hunt
Lyda Hunt-Herbert Trust - Lyda B. Hunt
Lyda Hunt-Herbert Trust - David S. Hunt
Lyda Hunt-Herbert Trust - Bruce W. Hunt

Petro-Hunt Corporation

Lyda Hunt-Margaret Trust - Al G. Hill, Jr.
Lyda Hunt-Margaret Trust - Lyda Hill
Lyda Hunt-Margaret Trust - Alinda Hunt Hill

Hunt Coal Corporation


<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>                     
<CIK>                             0001037676
<NAME>                            ARCH COAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1,000
                                   
<S>                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          25,170
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   202,734
<ALLOWANCES>                                    0
<INVENTORY>                                     71,320
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                362,518
<PP&E>                                          2,655,717
<DEPRECIATION>                                  746,397
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  2,879,561
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           381,669
<BONDS>                                         0
                           0
                                     0
<COMMON>                                        397
<OTHER-SE>                                      622,454
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    2,879,561
<SALES>                                         1,034,474
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,090,113
<CGS>                                           943,438
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,016,396
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,263
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,363
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 1,488
<CHANGES>                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,875
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .75
        


</TABLE>


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