In a target tracking system using image information from a CCD (Charged Couple Device) or an IIR (Imaging Infra-red) sensor, occluded targets can result in track losses. If the target is occlued by background objects such as buildings or trees, probability of track existence will be reduced sharply and track will be terminated due to track maintenance algorithms. This paper proposes data association algorithm based on target existence for the robust tracking performance. we suggest the HPDA (Highest Probability Data Association) algorithm based on target existence and the tracking performance is compared with the established method based on target perceivability. Image tracking simulation that utilizes virtual 3D images and real IR images is employed to evaluate the robustness of the proposed tracking algorithm.