Data is compressed using content addressable memory without disruption despite error using a plurality of content addressable memories to detect sequentially repeating data elements of the data. Compression information is generated for each sequence of repeating data elements that repeat for at least a compression threshold without any one of the plurality of content addressable memories generating an indication of an error for a matching content addressable memory entry. Individual data elements are output for each of the data elements that do not repeat for the compression threshold. Compression information is generated for each sequence of repeating data elements that repeat for at least the compression threshold and then generating a currently searched data element that matches the repeating data elements when any one of the plurality of content addressable memories generates an indication of an error for a content addressable memory entry that matches the currently searched data element.