In this paper, we present a new approach for automatic detection and tracking for multiple targets. We combine a highest probability data association(HPDA) algorithm for target detection with a particle filter for multiple target tracking. The proposed approach evaluates the probabilities of one-to-one assignments of measurement-to-track and the measurement with the highest probability is selected to be target- originated, and the measurement is used for probabilistic weight update of particle filtering. The performance of the proposed algorithm for target tracking in clutter is compared with the existing clustering algorithm and the sequential monte carlo method for probability hypothesis density(SMC PHD) algorithm for multi-target detection and tracking. Computer simulation studies demonstrate that the HPDA algorithm is robust in performing automatic detection and tracking for multiple targets even though the environment is hostile in terms of high clutter density and low target detection probability.