This paper presents an adaptive data-transition decision feedback equalizer (DT-DFE) with edge-emphasis (EE) taps and raised reference voltages. The distinct characteristics of data-state (DS) DFE and DT-DFE are examined first. It is followed with an introduction of DT-DFE with EE-taps. We show that the proposed DFE is capable of improving the edges and vertical eye-opening of equalized data. We further show that the proposed DFE is capable of raising reference voltages to desired values so as to improve vertical eye-opening. The details of the design of the DFE are provided. The effectiveness of the proposed DFE is validated using a 10 Gbps backplane link. Simulation results show that the DFE is capable of sharpening data edges by 3.28 times, lowering data jitter by 3.36 times, and improving vertical eye-opening by 3.7 times.