X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a non-destructive, non-invasive technique now being used to investigate the internal structures of coal. In a series of experiments a General Electric CT/T model 8800 x-ray scanner was used to obtain x-ray images of numerous pieces of coal ranging in rank from lignite to bituminous. The analysis of these images is now underway. A theoretical explanation is given for the CT numbers associated with the organic fraction of coal and for a number of common minerals. It is also shown that the CT technique has the density resolution to distinguish between the different major maceral classes in coal. Preliminary analysis suggests that the CT technique has advantages over normal x-ray methods for determining the ash content of coals. The work covered in this period is designed to provide an understanding of the CT images of coal. This understanding will be used in future tasks to follow the behavior of coal during destructive processes such as pyrolysis and gasification. 7 references, 39 figures, 8 tables.