1. A method for creating or updating a data set stored as a record in a database, wherein a plurality of data sets are stored in the database, wherein each data set is defined to include a plurality of fields corresponding to a plurality of predefined entities, the method comprising: searching through documents for current information about a data set; upon locating a document containing current information about the data set, copying and storing a data string from the document; extracting one or more entities from the data string using probabilistic techniques; and creating and storing a new record for the data set if none exists, or updating an existing record for the data set, using the extracted entities.