Form 8-K 02/24/05 Press Release
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                     February 24, 2005 (February 24, 2005)

                     St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                    001-31539                  41-0518430
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission                (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)             File Number)             Identification No.)


             1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80203
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 861-8140


                                 Not applicable
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):

[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)

[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 2.02         Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

         On February 24, 2005, St. Mary Land & Exploration Company issued a
press release announcing its results of operations for the full year and fourth
quarter of 2004. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to
this report. As indicated in the press release, the Company has scheduled a
related 2004 earnings teleconference call for February 25, 2005, at 8:00 a.m.
(MST). The teleconference call is publicly accessible, and the press release
includes instructions as to when and how to access the teleconference and the
location on the Company's web site where the teleconference information will be
available.

         The press release contains information about the Company's
discretionary cash flow, which is a "non-GAAP financial measure" under SEC
rules. The press release also presents information about the Company's net cash
provided by operating activities, which is the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure, and contains a reconciliation of discretionary cash flow to
net cash provided by operating activities for the periods presented, a
presentation of other cash flow information under GAAP, and a statement
indicating why management believes that the presentation of discretionary cash
flow provides useful information to investors.

         In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the
information in this report, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be
filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and such
information and Exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except unless
expressly set forth by specific statement or reference in such a filing.


Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

      (c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are furnished as part of this report:

           Exhibit 99.1     Press release of St. Mary Land & Exploration
                            Company dated February 24, 2005



                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                         ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY


Date:  February 24, 2005                 By: /S/ DAVID W. HONEYFIELD
                                             -----------------------
                                             David W. Honeyfield
                                             Vice President - Finance,
                                             Treasurer and Secretary