<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

                                                                    
 
<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>
        
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                        <C>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                  1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                                JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                                  MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                                                769
<SECURITIES>                                                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                       3,416
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                                                            91
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                    4,831
<PP&E>                                                                            147,659
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     66,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     86,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              20,259
<BONDS>                                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                              126
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         24,597
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       86,652
<SALES>                                                                             4,835
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                    4,980
<CGS>                                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                       4,872
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    594
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      (486)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                         (198)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  (288)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                         (288)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       (0.02)
        

</TABLE>