<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-22</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001169442</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JONES DIANE S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP - Corporate Relations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Diane S. Jones</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>
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4
2003-05-22
1
0000106455
WESTMORELAND COAL CO
WLB
0001169442
JONES DIANE S
0
1
0
0
VP - Corporate Relations
Diane S. Jones
2003-05-27