UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                ----------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)           NOVEMBER 17, 2004
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                            JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY
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               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


          VIRGINIA                                            54-1602012
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(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission              (IRS Employer
     of Incorporation)             File Number)           Identification No.)


      901 E. BYRD STREET, SUITE 1600, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA              23219
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           (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:        (804) 780-3000
                                                      --------------------------


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (SEE General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
        CFR 230.425)

[ ]     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
        CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
        Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
        Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



ITEM 8.01       OTHER EVENTS

        PRESS RELEASE. The press release of the Registrant dated November 17,
2004, which is filed as an exhibit hereto, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c)     Exhibits.

        EXHIBIT NO.                     DESCRIPTION
        -----------                     -----------

        99.1              Press release dated November 17, 2004



                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.


                                JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY
                                (REGISTRANT)


                                By: /s/  Samuel M. Hopkins II
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Samuel M. Hopkins II
                                    Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


Date:  November 17, 2004