There is disclosed a data processor containing an instruction issue unit that efficiently transfers instruction bundles from a cache to an instruction pipeline. The data processor comprises 1) an instruction pipeline comprising N processing stages; and 2) an instruction issue unit for fetching into the instruction pipeline instructions fetched from the instruction cache, each of the fetched instructions comprising from one to S syllables. The instruction issue unit comprises: a) a first buffer comprising S storage locations for storing up to S syllables associated with the fetched instructions, each of the S storage locations storing one of the one to S syllables of each fetched instruction; b) a second buffer comprising S storage locations for storing up to S syllables associated with the fetched instructions, each of the S storage locations for storing one of the one to S syllables of each fetched instruction; and c) a controller for determining if a first one of the S storage locations in the first buffer is full, wherein the controller, in response to such a determination, stores a corresponding syllable in an incoming fetched instruction in one of the S storage locations in the second buffer.