PURPOSE: To encode transmission picture data and header data with one encoder by reading and coding the picture data after the header data are read into a picture buffer.

CONSTITUTION: A CPU 102 controlling the entire facsimile equipment according to a program stored in a ROM 101 expands header data at first by a header generating section 114. In this case, the header data are converted into a picture based on its ASCII code and expanded in a picture buffer 115. Then the CPU 102 discriminates whether the header data are attached to the head of the picture data or the tail of the picture data, and in the case of the head attached data, a 1st line data of the transmission picture data is read from a line next to the header data read in the picture buffer 115. In the case of the tail attached data, the transmission picture data are read from a line succeeding to the header data while skipping the line number of the header data. When the reading is finished, the CPU 102 uses an encoder 113 to encode the data through a picture control section 112.