The mages are the best. Elk is a bit of a sissy.

Note: I have no problem killing 8 lvl or highers solo with Mistral (the other party members watch ;P )

Point is: If you learn to utilize the skills of a mage party member (especially with elemental differences) you should be able to stomp a mudhole in everything.

The fastest way to beat that data bug is to have elk continually ire off his magic attacks and have yourself occasionally attack but mostly stick to healing elk. I don't advise that you use skills with kite, because in a little while the bugs protection will go down. The very second it goes down you should try to data drain it, as the protection goes back up quickly. After he is data drained you should notice that he (or she???)will have stoped glowing. If he doesn't it is most likely that his protection was still up, or worse you have a defective game. The bug should be beaten rather easily after that, most attacks work on him.

Let
your other comrades do so, and you monitor, and act when its safe, one way to
do it. Until you can Data Drain him, hit, hit, hit. Don't die, don't die, don't
die. SO set First Aid! as a priority for wavematers, or so. You do need to be
constantly on the defensive while fighting him. He can also Data Drain, don't
be suprised, y'know Orca. Well it isn't good. It takes both an Antidote and a
Restorative to recover from it, it's that annoying!. If you happen to see him
go up into the air, run, run, run. Be prepared to take damage elsewise, or die.
So Ressurect anyone, someone's definetly gonna die when he does it, and they
want to be in on the action, too. Just don't let all 3 of you die! After you do
Data Drain him, DO as before. HIT! HIT! HIT! Let your wavemaster(s) kick ass.
He does get quite a bit easier.. sorta. HE CAN STILL DO EVIL STUFF. LIKE Data
Drain or Judgement, OWCHIE!! He also jumps and it might hurt your pretty, hard
earned party into ghostly-ness. Then.... after it's all said and done... after
the dust has settled... You emerge as the ass-kicker supreme.. OR SO YOU THINK!?
OK! Watch the movie you've earned to view. Yes, watch the credits too. BUT
DON'T TURN THE GAME OFF!!! Save your game when "it" asks you.

Another way is to let Sanjuro and BlackRose slash away at it while you keep their health and stats up. You can also use your scroll spells from a distance.

It is quite simple. When you fight a data bug, you must inflict a certain amount of damage to them in a certain amount of time. When you first get there, you are probably not strong enough, so do what I do when you get stuck on a data bug. Get your level, and your teem-mates to the nearest factor of 25. Also, for help on leveling up and getting stronger, look at my tips on Weapons, and Leveling up.

Keep entering the chat command:Magic,and stay clear from it,Elk will do serious damage with his magic.Then you Data Drain it (of course)and use the same tactic again.Bring many mage souls and resssurects