A method for controlling a sleep mode operation by a mobile station (MS) in a communication system. In the sleep mode operation control method, after entering a sleep mode, the MS transitions to an awake state in a listening interval. When there is data to transmit or receive to/from a base station (BS) in the awake state, the MS causes a neutral interval following the listening interval to transition to the awake state, and transmits or receives the data. The neutral interval is an interval where transition to the awake state and sleep state is available according to the data transmission/reception of the MS operating in the sleep mode.