A method and system for storing data in a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory device are described. The method includes receiving data for storage in the flash memory device, the flash memory device comprising an array of MLC flash memory cells, and encoding the received data into non-binary symbols according to a trellis-coded modulation scheme. The method further includes writing each of the non-binary symbols to a respective flash memory cell set, wherein each flash memory cell set comprises a plurality of MLC flash memory cells.