After being deactivated during an attack by the Crystalline Entity, Data was resurrected two years later, in 2338, by Starfleet personnel. After two previous assignments, he joined the Enterprise-D crew in 2364. The ship's only android, Data is often baffled by human emotions, and longs to experience them.

Sometimes his behavior is conspicuously human, though. He got drunk once (due to polywater intoxication) and has a fling with Tasha Yar. In general, Data's ethical choices are beyond reproach. That's not the case for his evil brother, Lore. During his service on the Enterprise, Data learned that he has a brother (their mutual creator is Dr. Noonien Soong.) Lore first showed up on the ship and began creating havoc on the ship, trying to destroy it. The brothers must go mano a mano, and Data prevails. Lore is launched into space, drifting aimlessly.

Nevertheless, Data has an affinity for family. He once create an android daughter from his neural-net matrix. She died, and Data absorbed her memories into his own.

Data endures other trials too, like when Commander Maddox suggests he's Starfleet property and should be disassembled for experimental purposes. Fortunately, Picard helps demonstrate that Data is a sentient being. He's officially an autonomous individual and not just an automaton.