<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR MILLER EXPLORATION COMPANY AND IS
          QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
          STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000
       
<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                  121
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         3,881
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                              89
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      5,925
<PP&E>                                                              131,088
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     (21,510)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      116,515
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                12,018
<BONDS>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                126
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                           61,545
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        116,515
<SALES>                                                              15,249
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     15,821
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        14,123
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    1,084
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         614
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          5,492
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 (4,879)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        (4,879)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        (0.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        (0.46)
        


</TABLE>