An improved decision feedback equalization technique is provided that may be used in data communications receivers such as those in WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) systems. The decision feedback equalizer comprises a feedforward filter that is connected to receive an input data signal and output a filter representation thereof. The feedforward filter has a filter characteristic that depends on filter coefficient data. The decision feedback equalizer further comprises a filter coefficient computation unit for generating the filter coefficient data and outputting the generated data to the feedforward filter. At least one data processing circuit is provided that receives a mode switch signal for switching its operational mode. The data processing circuit is arranged for performing a feedforward filter function in one operational mode and a filter coefficient computation function in another operational mode.