Software to Extract Data from Corrupted HDD??

Have dual boot (98&SuSE7.3) AMD K6 with 30GB IBM 7200 rpm HDD. Corrupted data on the HDD prevents me from gaining access to it by any means I have. IBM tech support (to whom I talked) has a DOS program to do a check. It confirms the corruption. All IBM recommends is to zero (literally) it out or get professional help. Their DOS program has a utility to reformat with zeroes! Do any of you know of a program which might crack this open?? There must be some thing since the professional data recoverers do it?? The cost of professional assistance is too high for me! Regards, Bob