An Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) method in a communication system having a protocol layer structure, in which a Layer 2 (L2) transmitter for generating an upper layer packet in a size suitable for transmission over a radio channel and transmitting the upper layer packet to a lower layer, transmits, to a receiver, polling information representative of an indicator for ordering the generation of a status report, and performs packet ARQ according to whether the status report is received within a predetermined time. The method includes determining whether there is a possibility that upper layer data contained in a packet data unit to be transmitted along with the polling information will cause an upper layer message in the opposite direction; and when there is a possibility that the upper layer data will cause an upper layer message, generating polling information ordering a receiver to wait for a predetermined time after receipt of a packet and to transmit an upper layer packet generated for the waiting time along with a status report, including the polling information in the packet data unit, and delivering the packet data unit to the lower layer.