JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT


     The  Amendment No. 2 to Schedule  13D,  relating to the common  stock,  par
value $2.50 per share, of Xxxxxxxxxxxx  Coal Company,  dated September 16, 1998,
is filed on behalf of  Wynnefield  Partners  Small  Cap Value  L.P.,  Wynnefield
Partners Small Cap Value L.P. I, Channel  Partnership II L.P.,  Wynnefield Small
Cap Value Offshore Fund Ltd and Xxxxxx Xxxx.

Dated: September 16, 1998

                                  WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE L.P. I

                                   By: WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC,
                                       as general partner


                                       By:   /S/ XXXXXX XXXX
                                             ---------------
                                               Xxxxxx Xxxx
                                             Managing Member

                                   WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE L.P.

                                   By: WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC,
                                       as general partner


                                       By:  /S/ XXXXXX XXXX
                                            ---------------
                                              Xxxxxx Xxxx
                                            Managing Member

                                   WYNNEFIELD SMALL CAP VALUE OFFSHORE FUND LTD

                                   By: WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL, INC.,
                                       as general partner


                                       By:  /S/ XXXXXX XXXX
                                            ---------------
                                              Xxxxxx Xxxx
                                               President