Abstract: Generating a plurality of tables based on a condition series, such as non-zero coefficient size groupings, by repeatedly executing an operation in which the quantization step of a quantizer is controlled by supplying the total code word length generated by a variable length coder to the quantizer. Coefficient data is coded by selecting a table based on a preceding condition series and the current condition series is coded based on the selected table. Thus, the total code word length is decreased. The coding apparatus includes a Huffman table generating apparatus, a transform circuit, a quantizer, and a variable length coder having a memory for storing the Huffman tables for every condition series.