The Millers have already disposed of Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday in this season's Carling Cup - and they made light work of the struggling Saints on this occasion.
Despite lying 47 places above the Millers in the Football League Southampton were outplayed at the Don Valley Stadium and could have gone down to an even heavier defeat than the one dealt to them by goals from Nick Fenton, Danny Harrison and Drewe Broughton.
Stern John did manage a consolation for the visitors but it proved in vain as the Millers held on to book their passage through to the last-16 stage.
Rotherham manager Mark Robins was forced into one change from the side which beat Luton 1-0 on Saturday. Defender Mark Lynch suffered a dislocated shoulder at the weekend and was replaced by former Barnsley man Dale Tonge.
Southampton welcomed defenders Michael Svensson and Lloyd James back into their starting XI.
Saints captain Svensson missed the last three matches due to discomfort in his troublesome knee but was fit enough to start while James shrugged off an arm injury to line up against the Millers.
Bartosz Bialkowski also made his first start in goal with regular number one Kelvin Davis not included in the travelling squad.
An 4-3-3 formation signalled Robins' intent for his side to attack their higher league opponents and it was the hosts who had the first chance of the match after 10 minutes.
Southampton were caught napping as Alex Rhodes drilled in a low corner from the left and the unmarked Ian Sharps connected with a sweetly timed volley which went just wide of the post.
Although it was no surprise when the Millers took the lead it was contentious to who actually claimed the goal which arrived after 23 minutes.
After a looping Alex Rhodes corner caught Bialkowski out, Millers striker Broughton smashed the ball into the the net following Nick Fenton's initial header.
However, at at half-time the fourth official confirmed Fenton's header had crossed the line before Broughton made sure so the goal was awarded to the midfielder.
The visitors improved after going behind but failed to test United goalkeeper Andy Warrington despite several penetrating runs from Andrew Surman into the box.
Rotherham began the second half with a real purpose and their three-pronged attack continued to cause the Saints defence all sorts of problems.
They made their dominance count 10 minutes after the break when Danny Harrison showed a real touch of class to send a sublime curling 30-yard shot past the helpless Bialkowski.
Substitute John breathed life back into the tie five minutes later with a well-struck shot of his own which sailed into the top corner from well outside the penalty area.
The introduction of John gave the visitors the lift they were craving and suddenly Surman and Adam Lallana started to find their passing range from midfield.
And the visitors came close to grabbing an equaliser as Lallana sent in a dangerous cross which only just eluded John at the far post.
But the Millers constantly looked a threat on the break, in particular the lively Andy Rhodes who forced a good save out of Bialkowski with a stinging volley.
And it was from another incisive counter attack from which Rotherham added a third goal in the 68th minute.
Reuben Reid, who had scored the decisive penalty in the previous round against Wolves, embarked on an impressive run past several Saints defenders before sliding the ball across to Broughton, who tapped into an empty net.
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