SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  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)

                                  FEBRUARY 16, 1994


                                  ASHLAND COAL, INC.
                (Exact name or registrant as specified in its charter)



            DELAWARE                      1-9993                61-0880012
 (State or other jurisdiction       (Commission file        (I.R.S.Employer    
      of incorporation or                number)            Identification No.)
          organization)   



               2205 FIFTH STREET ROAD, HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA  25701
                    (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)


                   P.O. BOX 6300, HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA  25771
                                 (Mailing Address)          (Zip Code)


         Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (304) 526-3333
1<PAGE>


          ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

          ASHLAND COAL AND ARCH MINERAL TERMINATE DISCUSSIONS

               Ashland  Coal,  Inc.  (the   "Company")  and  Arch   Mineral
          Corporation have terminated discussions about a possible business
          combination of the companies.


          FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

               The  Company's financial  results for  the first  quarter of
          1994  will be  substantially  affected by  severe winter  weather
          during  January and the  operational after effects  of the recent
          strike by the United Mine  Workers of America.  The strike  after
          effects include required maintenance  on equipment that was idled
          by  the strike; the building  up of coal  inventories depleted by
          the strike; and mine development work deferred during the strike.
          As  a result, the Company believes earnings for the first quarter
          will be around the break-even level.
2<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d)  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.


                                             ASHLAND COAL, INC.
                                             (REGISTRANT)

                                             By:  /s/  Roy F. Layman       
                                                  Administrative Vice
                                                  President and Secretary


                                             Date:  February 16, 1994


3<PAGE>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ASHLAND COAL INC", "cik": "0000833890", "assigned-sic": "1221", "irs-number": "610880012", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-09993", "film-number": "94510151"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2205 FIFTH ST RD", "city": "HUNTINGTON", "state": "WV", "zip": "25701", "phone": "3045263333"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "PO BOX 6300", "city": "HUNTINGTON", "state": "WV", "zip": "25771"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  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)

                                  FEBRUARY 16, 1994

                                  ASHLAND COAL, INC.
                (Exact name or registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                      1-9993                61-0880012
 (State or other jurisdiction       (Commission file        (I.R.S.Employer    
      of incorporation or                number)            Identification No.)
          organization)   

               2205 FIFTH STREET ROAD, HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA  25701
                    (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

                   P.O. BOX 6300, HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA  25771
                                 (Mailing Address)          (Zip Code)

         Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (304) 526-3333
1
ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

          ASHLAND COAL AND ARCH MINERAL TERMINATE DISCUSSIONS

               Ashland  Coal,  Inc.  (the   "Company")  and  Arch   Mineral
          Corporation have terminated discussions about a possible business
          combination of the companies.

          FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

               The  Company's financial  results for  the first  quarter of
          1994  will be  substantially  affected by  severe winter  weather
          during  January and the  operational after effects  of the recent
          strike by the United Mine  Workers of America.  The strike  after
          effects include required maintenance  on equipment that was idled
          by  the strike; the building  up of coal  inventories depleted by
          the strike; and mine development work deferred during the strike.
          As  a result, the Company believes earnings for the first quarter
          will be around the break-even level.
2
SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d)  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.

                                             ASHLAND COAL, INC.
                                             (REGISTRANT)

                                             By:  /s/  Roy F. Layman       
                                                  Administrative Vice
                                                  President and Secretary

                                             Date:  February 16, 1994

3