A method and system are disclosed for efficiently reading and processing multiple data blocks stored in a removable data storage medium within a data storage system, wherein each data block includes a header portion containing selected parameters necessary to identify and process an associated data block, and a data portion. Each data block is accessed within the removable data storage medium utilizing track logic circuitry and then coupled to a data block buffer for temporary storage. A header processing logic circuit is interposed between the track logic circuitry and the data block buffer and is utilized to initiate processing of only the header portion of each data block prior to storage of the data block within the data block buffer. After completion of processing of the header portion of a data block and completion of storage of that data block within the data block buffer, the data block is efficiently processed utilizing selected parameters contained within the header portion. In this manner, data blocks may be efficiently transferred, processed or coupled to an error recovery procedure from the data block buffer without the delay associated with processing each header portion of a data block after storage of that data block within the data block buffer.