A relational data base management system that stores and retrieves large data objects (LOBs) from data base storage includes a data manager that maintains LOB data space allocation according to the buddy system with two types of allocation pages, called regular buddy space (RBS) pages and super buddy space (SBS) pages. The RBS pages control buddy spaces comprising equal-size areas of the LOB data space in which LOB buddy segments are stored. The SBS pages control the RBS pages. The RBS pages include a pointer array that contains the forward-most location of where searching for a free storage space should begin and a counter array that indicates the number of free buddy segments in a buddy space for a particular buddy segment size. The SBS pages include analogous pointer and counter arrays that refer to the RBS pages and indicate the location and extent of free storage space, and also include a divided-space array and an SBS page directory.