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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 yP+idjMu21orlz4FQUJw7Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000106455-03-000101.txt : 20030902
<SEC-HEADER>0000106455-03-000101.hdr.sgml : 20030901
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030902111946
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000106455-03-000101
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030902

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WESTMORELAND COAL CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000106455
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE MINING [1220]
		IRS NUMBER:				231128670
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE 14TH FLOOR
		CITY:			COLORADO SPRINGS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7194422600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 N CASCADE AVE
		STREET 2:		# 14THFL
		CITY:			COLORADO SPRINGS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80903-1614

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JAEGER ROBERT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001169482

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11155
		FILM NUMBER:		03875517

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE
		STREET 2:		C/O WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
		CITY:			COLORADO SPRINGS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7194485814

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE
		STREET 2:		C/O WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
		CITY:			COLORADO SPRINGS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80903
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106455</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WESTMORELAND COAL CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001169482</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JAEGER ROBERT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLORADO SPRINGS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80903</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Vice President - Finance</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Diane S. Jones, VP-Corporate Relations, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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