In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, a control signal is calculated according to a signal output from a rotational angle sensor in accordance with intervals of a predetermined crank angle .theta..sub.o within a range from a reference position to a position which does not exceed a retard angle .theta. and the deviation from the retard angle .theta. does not exceed the crank angle .theta..sub.o. An angle deviation .theta..sub.s obtained as a remainder of a dividing operation is converted into a corresponding time period in accordance with a current average rotational speed of the engine. The time is counted in accordance with clock signals having a predetermined period. An internal combustion engine control signal is produced in accordance with this time counting operation. At least two instantaneous rotational speed data obtained for each angular signal from a rotational angle sensor are stored. The angle deviation .theta..sub.s is corrected in accordance with an instantaneous rotational speed at the timing at which an internal combustion engine control signal is produced in accordance with the stored data.