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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                 _______________


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                 _______________


          Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): MAY 9, 2001




                           BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         DELAWARE                   000-22433                   75-2692967
 (State or other jurisdiction      (Commission               (IRS  Employer
      of  incorporation)           File Number)            Identification  No.)


                            6300 BRIDGEPOINT PARKWAY
                             BUILDING TWO, SUITE 500
                              AUSTIN, TEXAS  78730
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (512) 427-3300

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Item  5.  OTHER  EVENTS.

     On  May  9,  2001,  Brigham  Exploration  Company ("Brigham") announced its
financial  results  for  the first quarter ended March 31, 2001, and provided an
update  on  recent operational activity and guidance on second quarter financial
results.  A copy of Brigham's press release that provided these announcements is
attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  99.1.


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Item  7.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND  EXHIBITS.

     (c)     Exhibits

                  Item               Exhibit
                  ----               -------

                  99.1*              Press  Release  dated
                                     May  9,  2001.

_______
*  filed  herewith.


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                                    SIGNATURE


     Pursuant  to  the  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has  duly  caused  this  report  to  be  signed on its behalf by the
undersigned  thereunto  duly  authorized.


                                            BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY



Date:     May  11,  2001                    By:     /s/  Curtis  F.  Harrell
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Curtis  F.  Harrell
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                  Item                    Exhibit
                  ----                    -------

                  99.1*              Press  Release  dated
                                     May  9,  2001.