The only way I can think of without using XML is to create a
custom tag (written in C++ or Java) that parses the word document
and passes the text as a variable back to you. A good example of a
parser written in C++ can be found at:
http://www.codeproject.com/com/MSWACPP.asp
You should just have to adjust the code so it works with
Coldfusion (Probably use a CFAPI DLL in this case).
Actually, you could perform the majority (if not all) of what
you want to do right in the custom tag.
Good luck.