Topics covered include methane recovery from coal seams by vertical drilling and by long horizontal drill holes in the seam. Preliminary degassing of the deeper seams may be necessary for safety and productivity in mining them. The recovery of the methane represents the conservation of a resource now largely wasted by venting in mine ventilation air and, in some cases, the economics are favorable. Resource assessment is being carried out and drilling equipment designed for coal seam degassing is described. Seventeen papers from the proceedings have been entered individually into EDB and ERA. (LTN)