cgi/concurrency - I want a faster site

I'm running cgi with Apache 2 (Redhat 9) & gzip on my own server, and it
appears that the entire cgi needs to run before ANY http output is sent,

ie the sequence appears to be:
- use issues http request
- Apache runs the cgi to completion, & buffers output
- Apache then computes the http header, which contains a content-length
- Apache gzips head/body back to user

It looks like Apache buffers the cgi output just to computer the
content-length.

I remember using web host about 2 years ago where the cgi output did not
appear to be buffered at all. This is obviously preferable as the content
gets back to the user ASAP.

So can I/how do I stop this buffering?

gtoomey