A data recording medium having a well-recognizable recording layer which reversibly changes in degree of light scattering when externally stimulated. One embodiment of the data recording medium of the present invention comprises (a) a visible data recording layer, the degree of light scattering of which reversibly changes when externally stimulated, (b) a transparent substrate layer, (c) a low refractive layer having a lower refractive index than the transparent substrate layer, (d) a colored substrate layer and (e) a magnetic recording layer, laminated in this order. Another embodiment of the data recording medium comprises (a) a visible data recording layer, (b) a first transparent substrate layer, (c) a low refractive layer, (d) a second transparent substrate layer and (e) a colored magnetic recording layer, laminated in this order. Still another embodiment of the data recording medium comprises (a) a visible data recording layer, (b) a light reflective layer, (c) a magnetic recording layer and (d) a substrate layer. In the data recording medium, the visible data recording layer preferably comprises a liquid crystal polymer. The recording layer may have a protective layer laminated thereon.