dumb way without using merge 1. sort using your control cards but add INCLUDE to get just the 'L' 2, second sort using same control cards with include anything not 'L' 3. concat 'L' data first other second sort with your control cards and specify OPTIONS EQUALS which will keep the 'L' s first
Pretty sure there is a way to do the same with merge but I barely manage to keep up with all the things you can do with SORT. Mike ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
