A magneto-optical data recording system comprises magnetic field pulse applying apparatus for applying to a magneto-optic recording medium a magnetic field pulse of a polarity corresponding to code data to be recorded, and apparatus for heating the recording medium in a pulsating manner at a predetermined frequency synchronous with the code data to be recorded. During recording, the magnetic field pulse applying apparatus applies a magnetic field pulse of a polarity corresponding to code data along a track of the recording medium and the heating apparatus continuously heats the recording medium in a pulsating manner at a predetermined frequency synchronous with the code data to thereby directly overwrite the code data. The magnetic field pulse applying apparatus includes a magnetic coil driven by code data from a source of code data (data generator). The heating apparatus includes an optical head which comprises a source of laser beam driven by a laser driver and an optical system which focuses the laser beam from the source of laser beam as a small light spot onto the recording medium.