A data storage device with compensation for coercivity variations in a magnetic disk storage medium is disclosed. Two procedures are executed to perform the coercivity compensation. In a first procedure, typically performed prior to writing of data, the coercivity at a number of locations on the disk is measured and stored. A second procedure writes data to locations on a magnetic disk storage medium having varying coercivities. To maintain writing widths within predefined limits, a writing parameter is varied according to a predetermined relationship between the value of the writing parameter and the coercivity. Choices of writing parameter comprise the writing current and fly height. The method may be employed for both data writing and self-servo writing of servo patterns.