<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K FOR MILLER EXPLORATION COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 3,716
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,580
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 202
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 8,936
<PP&E> 137,718
<DEPRECIATION> 78,881
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 69,611
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,136
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 127
<OTHER-SE> 23,868
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 69,611
<SALES> 20,731
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,931
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 20,546
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,519
<INCOME-PRETAX> (3,134)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,152)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,982)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,982)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.16)
</TABLE>