An apparatus for correcting read errors in a disk drive is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes circuitry for determining that an undesired distortion exists in a data signal read from a surface of a data storage disk; circuitry for finding an approximate starting location of said distortion within said data signal; and, circuitry for correcting errors in said data signal caused by said undesired distortion using said approximate starting location of said distortion. A method for correcting read errors in a disk drive is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (1) providing an error correction code (ECC) that is capable of locating and correcting errors in a data signal; (2) determining that a data signal read from a surface of a data storage disk includes a distortion; (3) finding an approximate starting location of said distortion within said data signal; and, (4) performing error correction procedures on said data signal, based on said ECC, using said approximate starting location of said distortion.