Preliminary observations suggest the utility of liquid sulfur dioxide for desulfurization of coal. Initial exploratory work has demonstrated that under mild condutions: (1) between 35 and 70% of theorganicsulfur can be removed from selected coals, (2) extraction of a variety of organic materials from the coal occurs, (3) comminution of selected coals is extensive, and (4) pyrite can be oxidized. Results obtained as functions of temperature and added reagents will be presented. Hypotheses concerning the origins of these observations will be considered and present limitations of the methods will be outlined. The support of this research by the U. S. Department of Energy and the samples supplied by the Coal Research Section, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University are gratefully acknowledged.