An adaptive data acquisition circuit (26) includes an amplifier (14) for amplifying electrical pulses generated by a detector (12) responsive to energy incident at the detector. The adaptive data acquisition circuit also includes a counting circuit (28) for counting amplified electrical pulses generated by the amplifier. In addition, the adaptive data acquisition circuit includes a digital logic circuit (30) for determining a pulse parameter indicative of a pulse rate and an amount of energy present in the amplified electrical pulses and for generating a control signal (34) responsive to the pulse parameter for controlling an operating parameter of the data acquisition circuit.