================================================================================

                       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)  JANUARY 30, 2003
                                                 -------------------------------

                           PEABODY ENERGY CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                                             
             DELAWARE                        1-16463                            13-4004153
-----------------------------------   ------------------------     ------------------------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  incorporation or organization)

   701 MARKET STREET, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI                                         63101
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address of principal executive offices)                                      (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (314) 342-3400
                                                   -------------------

                                       N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



================================================================================



ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

See the Exhibit Index at page 4 of this report.


ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

On January 30, 2003, Peabody Energy Corporation ("Peabody") issued a press
release setting forth Peabody's calendar year and fourth quarter 2002 earnings,
and Peabody's 2003 forecast. A copy of Peabody's press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1.




                                       2






                                    SIGNATURE


         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.


                                       PEABODY ENERGY CORPORATION

Date: January 30, 2003                       /s/ RICHARD A. NAVARRE
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                                Richard A. Navarre
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer



                                       3





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


The exhibits below are numbered in accordance with the Exhibit Table of Item 601
of Regulation S-K.




   Exhibit
     No.                     Description of Exhibit
   -------                   ----------------------
                          
    99.1                     Press release of Peabody Energy Corporation dated January 30, 2003.




                                       4