<?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>
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X0201
4
2003-09-01
1
0000106455
WESTMORELAND COAL CO
WLB
0001169482
JAEGER ROBERT J
2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE
COLORADO SPRINGS
CO
80903
0
1
0
0
Sr. Vice President - Finance
/s/ Diane S. Jones, VP-Corporate Relations, by Power of Attorney
2003-09-02