Ahh, then you copy the entire directory, including any subdirectories, that contains the source code and makefile and any other files to a temporary directory, like /tmp
If there is a README file, then read it. Such files often have complete instructions about what to do. Most often it will be something like
./configure
make
make install
Check to see if there is a file called .configure along with the make file. If there is you are good to go.
Cheers--
Charles