An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine comprises a position sensor for detecting an operational position of an accelerator pedal operated by a driver, a microprocessor for generating a target throttle valve opening in accordance with a predetermined function in response to the operational position of the accelerator pedal, and a servo motor provided with a throttle valve opening sensor and a servo drive circuit for controlling the opening of the throttle valve of the engine to the target throttle valve opening. In the microprocessor, there is provided a compensation circuit for compensating, during the acceleration, for the target throttle valve opening in response to the operational positions of the accelerator pedal immediately before and after the acceleration and an engine operational parameter immediately before the acceleration.