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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 V0j0345E1i3QCagRJImDscpMPoLrPInQqJFD6yLAOPi1pQQ0hRxkS/UbntmMnFgl
 fm3E5C6cQjFbXiEPA/Nx0w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-05-002261.txt : 20050202
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-05-002261.hdr.sgml : 20050202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050202210652
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-05-002261
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NICKERSON RANDY S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235080

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14841
		FILM NUMBER:		05571183

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 INVERNESS DRIVE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112-5004

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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235080</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NICKERSON RANDY 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>Sr. Vice President</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Award</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>848</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>848</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>848</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The settlement of the restricted stock occurs automatically as the restricted stock vest, which results in a deemed automatic expiration of the vested portion of the restricted stock upon settlement.  The restricted stock vest generally over a period of 3 years, with 1/3 vesting on January 31, 2006, 1/3 vesting on January 31, 2007, and 1/3 vesting on January 31, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">1 for 1.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Carey Horn POA for Randy Nickerson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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