In the paper two methods for data structure analysis and visualisation are presented: the simultaneous nonlinear mapping (Sammon, 1969) and the sequential one (Montvilas, 1995). These two methods were compared according ability to map the data on the plane, mapping accuracy and a mapping time. It was showed that the sequential nonlinear mapping has some bigger total mapping error but needs considerable less calculation time than that of the simultaneous one. Examples are given.