A method and apparatus for managing data written in a markup language so as to allow efficient storage, deletion, updating and retrieval of the digital data and a recording medium for storing a program designed to perform the same method. To allow efficient storage, deletion, updating and retrieval of digital data, data written in a markup language is split into fragments and each fragment is managed in a predetermined relational table. An index for the digital data based on the fragment allows the fragmented digital data to be efficiently accessible.