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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 J6CHq1iXFNWDGnjFvOB0CpNFCVvsHdS79qhLBKKT7G7PWQk1iVQpEIG0iAZ/FB4q
 WN5EOMkNYoYogowl4Hv4Zw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-07-002580.txt : 20070202
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-07-002580.hdr.sgml : 20070202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070202122354
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-07-002580
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEMPLE FRANK M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001270065

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14841
		FILM NUMBER:		07575299

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

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:		1515 ARAPAHOE STREET, TOWER 2, SUITE 700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-2126
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-925-9200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 ARAPAHOE STREET, TOWER 2, SUITE 700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-2126
</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>2007-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001270065</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SEMPLE FRANK M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MARKWEST HYDROCARBON, INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1515 ARAPAHOE ST. TWR 2, STE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, CEO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3638</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27236</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1220</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Holdings</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a restricted stock grant, which entitles the grantee to receive a common share upon the vesting of the restricted share. Under the restricted stock grant agreement, the settlement of the restricted stock occurs automatically as the restricted shares vest, which results in a deemed automatic expiration of the vested portion of the restricted stock upon settlement. The restricted stock vests over a period of three years, with one third vesting on January 31 of each anniversary year.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Amount of securities beneficially owned following reported transaction(s) includes shares of Common Stock owned and Restricted Stock subject to varying vesting terms.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Sean M. McKendry as POA for Frank M. Semple</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-02-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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