Methods and apparatus for recovering data from communication signals apply estimated distribution algorithms. Estimated probability distributions may be constructed to avoid deterministic values. Non-converging data elements may be resolved by performing selective local searches. Embodiments recover data from space-time-frequency block coded signals. A data receiver comprises two or more antennas and signal detectors for detecting signals received at the antennas. A data detection module constructs a fitness function based on the received set of signals and generates additional possible solution sets by an iterative process in which the fitness of possible data sequences are evaluated using the fitness function.