This application provides a data transmission method, to indicate resource configuration statuses of at least two groups of CRSs to a terminal device, so that the terminal device can correctly receive data, and improve data receiving performance. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, indication information sent by a network device, where the indication information is used to determine resources occupied by N groups of cell-specific reference signals CRSs, and N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2; and determining, by the terminal device based on the indication information, the resources that are occupied by the N groups of CRSs, and receiving data based on the resources that are occupied by the N groups of CRSs.