A cooperative data stream processing system utilizing a plurality of independent, autonomous and heterogeneous sites in a cooperative arrangement process user-defined job requests over dynamic, continuous streams of data. A distributed plan is created that identifies the processing elements that constitute a job that is derived from user-defined inquiries. These processing elements are arranged into subjobs that are mapped to various sites within the system for execution. The jobs are executed across the plurality of distributed sites in accordance with the distributed plan. The distributed plan also includes requirements for monitoring and back-up of the execution sites in the event of a failure on one of those sites. Execution of the jobs in accordance with the distributed plan is facilitated by the identification of an owner site to which the distributed plan is communicated and which is responsible for driving the execution of the distributed plan.