A two-dimensional bar code reading method and apparatus search the finder pattern in a scanned image of a two-dimensional bar code symbol, find orientation modules, find data modules, and convert the symbol to data characters as part of the decoding process for the scanned image of a MaxiCode symbol. In the data module search part of a MaxiCode symbol decoding process, position and shape information is calculated for data modules on an orientation axis, assuming an orientation axis passing the finder pattern center point, inside orientation module center point, and outside orientation module center point (step to S1801). Based on pixel data corresponding to the calculated location of the center point in each module, a bit pattern is generated where black data cells are 1 bits and white cells are 0 bits (S1802). The locations of MaxiCode symbol data modules in the area between orientation axes are then calculated (S1803). Pixel data corresponding to the calculated location of the center point of each data module is then converted to a bit pattern where black data cells are 1 bits and white data cells are 0 bits (S1804), and the data module search process then ends.