A data compression system includes a memory to store a plurality of predetermined prefixes corresponding to a plurality of classes of data. A classifying module is configured to receive data, receive a class of the data, and select a prefix to compress the data from the plurality of predetermined prefixes based on the data and the class of the data. A compressing module is configured to compress the data using the prefix. A header generating module is configured to generate a header including an indication of the prefix used to compress the data, and to output the header and the compressed data for storage or transmission. Using the prefix from the predetermined prefixes to compress the data eliminates an overhead of fetching the prefix from outside the data compression system.