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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000902664-03-001854.txt : 20031209
<SEC-HEADER>0000902664-03-001854.hdr.sgml : 20031209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031209073509
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000902664-03-001854
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031204
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TONTINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001272374

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11155
		FILM NUMBER:		031043597

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TORTINE PARTNERS LP
		STREET 2:		55 RAILRAOD AVENUE 3RD FL
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>srz9555240v1_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-12-04</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106455</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WESTMORELAND COAL CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLB</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272374</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TONTINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)(2)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>70000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> This report is filed by Tontine Capital Management, L.L.C. (&quot;TCM&quot;), a Delaware limited liability company.  Mr. Jeffrey L. Gendell is the managing member and indirectly owns 70,000 shares of Common Stock.  TCM and Mr. Gendell disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> As defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, TCM and Mr. Gendell are part of a group along with Tontine Partners, L.P. (&quot;TP&quot;), Tontine Management, LLC (&quot;TM), TCM and Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C. (&quot;TOA&quot;) all of whom are 10% owners.  Mr. Gendell is the managing member of TM and TCM, each a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of TP, a Delaware limited liability partnership.  Mr. Gendell is also the managing member of TOA, a Delaware limited liability company, the investment adviser of Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (&quot;TOF&quot;).</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey L. Gendell</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-12-08</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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