-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UsoIE9+PL/5MVrrCWzX4ZmYw3DNs/U6pXQhKxol282J0L0r+7k7whTxU0PGao81H
 aeKidzNVLD8MXAaYMigDLw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-003789.txt : 20040217
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-003789.hdr.sgml : 20040216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040217182508
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-003789
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040210
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040217

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITH TED S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001279733

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14841
		FILM NUMBER:		04611024

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 INVERNESS DR WEST
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3032908700

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MARKWEST HYDROCARBON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001019756
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				841352233
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 INVERNESS DRIVE WEST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112-5004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3032908700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 INVERNESS DRIVE WEST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112-5004
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-10</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001019756</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MARKWEST HYDROCARBON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MWP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001279733</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH TED S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MARKWEST HYDROCARBON, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>155 INVERNESS DRIVE WEST, STE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No Securities owned.</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lucy Woods POA for Ted S. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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