An experiment-dedicated data acquisition and processing system used in concert with a closed-loop servocontrolled testing machine is described, and its application to research on the fatigue response of composite materials is presented. The testing facility has been used to obtain reliable fatigue damage data for composite materials by monitoring (semi) time-resolved changes in material properties during the course of fatigue tests for the purpose of achieving a better understanding of fatigue damage processes. Included in the paper are discussions of the laboratory equipment, experimental procedures, and use of the data handling system in fatigue research.