An adaptive channel estimation technique for OFDM-based DTV receivers is proposed using a new mobility estimator. Sample mean techniques for channel estimation have displayed good performance in slow fading channels, because averaging reduces noise In channel estimation operation. This paper suggests an algorithm which selects the optimal number of symbols within which the sample mean of consecutive pilot data can be obtained. The designed mobility estimator determines the optimal number by comparing mobility variance and estimated noise valiance. The algorithm using the mobility estimator obtains an optimal channel function under time-invariant or time-variant multipath fading channels, thereby making the best BER performance.