A table-based state machine is improved by reducing critical dependence path. In one aspect, all current states for a given input are read from a state table circuit, and the next state and output are then selected therefrom by an output multiplexer based on the current state, removing dependence on the current state from the table read, and allowing the read(s) to be pipelined. In a further aspect, multiple input units are configured to operate on multiple inputs in parallel, with each input unit propagating its state table circuit for its current input to the next downstream input unit. Each downstream input unit is configured to use the propagated state table circuit to provide the state table circuit reads to the proper output multiplexer input. The number of possible output states for a given input may be dynamically reduced, reducing the size of the output multiplexer selecting the next state.