An apparatus and method for recording and reproducing data are discussed According to an embodiment  the present invention provides an apparatus for recording management information on a writable recording medium  the recording medium including one or more temporary management areas being used in a designated order for storing therein temporary management information until the recording medium is closed and a final management area for storing therein final management information when the recording medium is to be closed  the apparatus comprising a pickup adapted for recording data on the recording medium and a microcomputer configured to control the pickup to record data onto a first indicator when closing the recording medium so as to indicate that the recording medium is closed  the first indicator located at the most front position of a first temporary management area being used first among the one or more temporary management areas