We give a very explicit formula for Igusa's local zeta function Z(f)(s) ass
ociated to a polynomial f in several variables over the p-adic numbers, whe
n f is sufficiently non-degenerated with respect to its Newton polyhedron G
amma (f). Using this Formula and the estimates of Adolphson and Sperber on
exponential sums over finite fields, we study the largest real pole differe
nt from -1 of Z(f)(s) (C) 2001 Academic Press.