Abstract: A link sorted memory and method of storing and sorting data that provides for rapid sorting and retrieval of data stored in an unsorted fashion. The link sorted memory comprises a data memory for storing unsorted data, and a linking memory that functions as a pointer table to related memory addresses in the data memory. A sorting coprocessor is provided that stores the data unsorted in the data memory, scans the data words for a sort attribute, and uses the sort attribute to create the pointer table that links the unsorted stored data words. Sorting and retrieval of the unsorted data in the data memory is achieved by incrementing a counter, for example, that steps through the addresses stored in the linking memory to sequentially retrieve all data words having the sort parameter.