The theoretical equation of state for solid methane, developed within the framework of perturbation theory, with the crystal consisting of spherical molecules as zero-order approximation, and octupole – octupole interaction of methane molecules as a perturbation, is proposed. Thermodynamic functions are computed on the sublimation line up to the triple point. The contribution of the octupole – octupole interaction to the thermodynamic properties of solid methane is estimated.