<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM 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> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 1,098 1,098
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,679 4,679
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 231 231
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 7,971 7,971
<PP&E> 141,120 141,120
<DEPRECIATION> 91,584 91,584
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 58,240 58,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,682 9,682
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 132 132
<OTHER-SE> 24,969 24,969
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 58,240 58,240
<SALES> 6,929 18,785
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,037 19,058
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 5,632 16,604
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 782 2,449
<INCOME-PRETAX> 623 5
<INCOME-TAX> 212 2
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 411 3
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 166 166
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 245 (163)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.02 (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.02 (0.01)
</TABLE>