Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of water-containing coal which comprises mixing the water-containing coal with a hydrocarbon oil having a specific gravity higher than that of water at temperatures in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C.; heating the resulting mixture at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature; and then allowing the heated mixture to settle at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature, whereby an upper layer consisting of the water separated from the water-containing coal is formed on a lower layer consisting of the mixture of the dehydrated coal and the hydrocarbon oil.