Liquefaction experiments were undertaken using subbituminous Black Thunder mine coal to observe the effects of aqueous SO2 coal beneficiation and the introduction of various coal swelling solvents and catalyst precursors. Aqueous SO2 beneficiation of Black Thunder coal removed alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, increased the sulfur content and increased the catalytic liquefaction conversion to tetrahydrofuran (THF) solubles compared to untreated Black Thunder coal. The liquefaction solvent had varying effects on coal conversion, depending upon the type of solvent added. The hydrogen donor solvent, dihydroanthracene, was most effective, while a coal-derived Wilsonville solvent promoted more coal conversion than did relatively inert 1-methylnaphthalene. Swelling of coal with hydrogen bonding solvents tetrahydrofuran, isopropanol, and methanol, prior to reaction resulted in increased noncatalytic conversion of both untreated and SO2 treated Black Thunder coals, while dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which was absorbed more into the coal than any other swelling solvent, was detrimental to coal conversion. Swelling of SO2 treated coal before liquefaction resulted in the highest coal conversions; however, the untreated coal showed the most improvements in catalytic reactions when swelled in either THF, isopropanol, or methanol prior to liquefaction.