Fe-Mn, Go-Mn and Ni-Mn composite oxide catalysts based on high specific surface area MnO2 precursor were prepared and applied to catalytic combustion of CH4. Results were compared with that of unmodified MnOx and 1wt.% Pd/gamma Al2O3. Below 450 degrees C, manganese oxide catalysts show higher activity than Pd/gamma-Al2O3, while the modified manganese oxide catalysts exhibit higher activity than the unmodified one below 420 degrees C. All catalysts were characterized by means of N-2-BET, XRD, TG-DTA and H-2-TPR. Due to the interaction between Fe, Co or Ni oxides and manganese oxide, the activity of the oxygen species of the modified catalysts is improved, which leads to the increase of their CH4 combustion activity.