http://www.openoffice.org/
Can work on .doc files.
For the new .docx files, here is a FAQ:
How do I open Microsoft Office 2007 files?
The files produced by Microsoft Office 2007 are also called Office Open XML,
OpenXML, OOXML, Office 12, .docx, .xlsx, etc. The current, mainstream
version of OpenOffice.org 2.x does not open these files. You have several
options
Wait for OpenOffice.org version 3.0 due around September 2008. Shortly
before the official release, a developer's snapshot will be available.
Use an OpenOffice.org variant which already includes a limited
implementation of the feature: NeoOffice, Novell OpenOffice.org (ODF
Converter), Your OpenOffice.org (go-ooo.org)
Use a compatible application to convert the document.
Even if you do not have Microsoft Office, you can use the Microsoft Office
Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats.
Ask whoever sent you the document to use a different format.
> Hi All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> M.Satyanarayana.

Signature
Russ
drsmN0SPAMikleAThotmailD0Tcom.INVALID
So you want to be able to use all the features of Word, without using Word.
Interesting. Other than OpenOffice....good luck.