A computationally efficient, adaptive multistage Wiener filter employs two modules, a linear filter module that operates at the input data rate and an update module that operates at a plurality of rates but performs many calculations at only the update rate. This filter is especially useful when the channel conditions vary slowly so that the filter's update rate can be considerably less than the input data rate. Separating the calculations, preferably performing appropriate calculations at different rates and preferably substituting scalar operations for vector operations can provide improved computational efficiency while maintaining high levels of performance.