**Abstract**

The main challenges in data mining are related to large, multi-dimensional data sets. There is a need to develop algorithms that are precise and efficient enough to deal with big data problems. The Simplex algorithm from linear programming can be seen as an example of a successful big data problem solving tool. According to the fundamental theorem of linear programming the solution of the optimization problem can found in one of the vertices in the parameter space. The basis exchange algorithms also search for the optimal solution among finite number of the vertices in the parameter space. Basis exchange algorithms enable the design of complex layers of classifiers or predictive models based on a small number of multivariate data vectors.

**Keywords:** data mining, basis exchange algorithms, small samples of multivariate vectors, gene clustering, prognostic models
