a method of clustering data includes choosing an initial cluster point and proximate data points from a set of data points . a revised data set is defined that excludes the initial cluster point and the proximate data points . a cluster point relatively far from the selected cluster point is selected . a revised data set excluding the selected cluster points and proximate data points is then defined . a decision is made whether to choose another cluster point . if so , a cluster point relatively far from the selected cluster points is selected and a revised data set excluding the selected cluster points and corresponding proximate data points is defined . if another cluster point is not to be selected , a final cluster point is chosen within the revised data set . the final cluster point is relatively far from the previously selected cluster points . the selected cluster points are then used to initiate a cluster analysis .