A microcomputer-based data acquisition system was developed and employed for high-frequency monitoring of soil dynamic response to a probe (punch) dropped into a surface-layer soil profile. The measurement system was operated on in situ soils classified as clay loam, fine sandy loam and silt loam. The undisturbed profiles considered had been previously subjected to minimum tillage or no-tillage crop production practices. Data defining impact force on the punch versus depth of penetration were obtained for punch diameters ranging from 9.5 to 19.1 mm and impact velocities ranging from 2000 to 5000 mm/s. Preliminary analyses of the results indicated extreme sensitivity of maximum forces to soil type and probe diameter and unique soil dependent displacement frequencies.