Abstract: A data reproducing apparatus capable of detecting easily the position shift of a control head including first position information to discriminate recording tracks recorded on recording tracks formed helically on a tape-shaped recording medium and second position information corresponding to the first position information simultaneously recorded on a recording track formed on the recording medium in a longitudinal direction wherein the data formed on the helical track is reproduced by rotary heads and the data formed on the longitudinal track is reproduced by the control head, and because the position of the control head is detected based on the difference between the first position information and the second position information, the position shift of the control head is detected easily.