An encoding system manipulates L m-bit data symbols or sequences in accordance with a "restricted-symbol" code to produce code words that include error correction code (ECC) redundancy information and also meet modulation requirements, such as run length. The system combines the data and associated redundancy information of a code word D of the underlying code and one or more predetermined symbols or sequences that are appended to the data code word with the corresponding symbols or bit sequences of a selected code word F, to produce a transmission code word C that consists of symbols or sequences that meet the modulation requirements. Thereafter, the system corrects any errors in the retrieved or received code word C using the included redundancy information and the L m-bit data symbols or sequences are then recovered by removing therefrom the contributions of the code word F. The system may instead use the restricted-symbol code strictly as a data code, by combining the respective m-bit data symbols or sequences and one or more predetermined symbols with one or more selected m-bit symbols or sequences, to produce L+1 m-bit symbols or sequences that meet the modulation requirements. The predetermined symbols or sequences are appended to the data to aid in decoding, with the corresponding symbols in the encoded code word or data symbols or sequences indicating to a decoder which selected code word, symbols or sequences have been combined with the data.