An apparatus and method for efficiently decoding data received in the form of data packets is provided. The design includes at least one decoding unit configured to receive and decode multiple packet groups, each packet group comprising a plurality of data packets received over at least one wireless transmission channel; a buffer arrangement configured to collect complete and incomplete packet groups received over each wireless transmission channel, and a processor configured to direct data packets from the at least one decoding unit to specific locations in the buffer arrangement. The processor further inserts later received data packets into associated packet groups maintained in the buffer arrangement to minimize sequence gaps in the data packets. The design subsequently provides multiple packet groups and any later received data packets from the buffer arrangement to a resequencer.