Abstract: Apparatus and a technique for equalizing non-linear distortion in a received modulated data signal by (1) forming tentative decisions as to the values of data symbols represented by the signal preferably using a receiver including a conventional linear equalizer, (2) constructing a replica of the non-linear distortion in response to the tentative decisions, and (3) forming a final decision as to the data symbol values in response to signals including the replica. If desired, the final decisions can also be stored and fed back to the processor which forms the replica, so that the replica is a joint function of past final decisions and future tentative decisions regarding the data symbols represented by the signal samples. The present invention provides increased accuracy by using tentative decisions rather than input samples to form the non-linear distortion replica.