disappearing file ??

On two different occasions I have had a *.doc file with a lot a data disappear while looking for entries in the file. I have searched in the recycle bin and could not find it. I have also done a search using the program Recuva and it didn't find it. The file name remained on my disk but all the data was missing. I can not figure how one can erase all 200K of data by just looking for info in the file.
Any suggests what may have happened ??. I was using Word at the time reading the file.

What program are you using to create the documents?

Are you remembering to SAVE the documents? Had to ask.

I was using "WORD" and a "*.doc" extension. I used RECUVA to search my hard drive