An apparatus and method for negotiating sleep cycle setting between a base station and a mobile station in a wireless communication system are provided. A method for operating a transmitter to negotiate sleep cycle setting of a mobile station in a wireless communication system includes transmitting a DSx request message including sleep cycle setting information to a receiver, and receiving a DSx response message, which includes at least one of acceptance/refusal information about DSx and acceptance/refusal information about sleep cycle setting change, from the receiver. Herein, the DSx is one of a Dynamic Service Addition (DSA), a Dynamic Service Change (DSC), and a Dynamic Service Deletion (DSD).