Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is used to allow data within a database system to be cached in local cache memory (30) without requiring significant changes to surrounding software and systems, such as applications (12), native drivers (18-22) and database backends (24-28). To do so, a virtual driver (16) is coupled between the backend systems (24-28) and one or more applications (12). When the driver (16) receives a query from the application (12), the driver (16) processes the query to determine if the query is to be processed using cached data from local cache (30), backend data from databases (24-28), or a combination thereof. If cached data is needed, the driver (16) will usually alter or modify the query and/or information associated therewith to ensure that the cached data is properly accessed and used instead of the backend database information. Caching in this manner is likely to ensure one or more of significant improvements in data transfer performance and/or a reduction in database server loading.