Abstract: Track following of a data track by a data head is accomplished by successively sampling data signals along the data track, storing the sensed signals in a data processor, computing the maximum amplitudes or crests of the successive signals, and servoing the data head towards the path defined by the maximum amplitude data signals. The data signal amplitudes and the crest values are continuously updated and employed for the servo function. A conventional read-write head having a single transducing gap of a width substantially the same as that of the data track width is used for sensing the recorded data signals.