Abstract: A data processing system (10) implements a symmetrical filtering function about the unity gain line using a single filter (33). The data processing system (10) includes a bus (12), an I/O port (12), memory (16), and a processor (18). The I/O port (12) receives filter control parameters (20) and receives and transmits digitized data. The processor receives the filter control parameters (20) and calculates filter coefficients (44, 48, 52). The processor (18) implements the single stage filter (33) based upon the filter coefficients (44, 48, 52) to filter the digitized input data (22) and produce filtered digitized data (24). The single stage filter (33) may include a band pass, high pass, or low pass function. The single stage filtering function (33) produces a filtering function that is symmetrical about the unity gain line. Variable Q operation of the data processing system (10) allows Q of the filtering function to vary with boost/cut level (34).