I had thought that the only way to rename a SAS data set was to modify the header via PROC DATASETS. I thought that since the name is stored in the header, renaming the data set via an operating system command (e.g. rename within DOS) would cause problems. Now I discover that this is no longer a problem (SAS Version 6.12 on Windows '95). The RENAME outside of SAS seems to work just fine. I looked at the file and the internal name is still the old name, but SAS doesn't seem to care and just displays the external name in PROC CONTENTS, PROC DATASETS, etc.

The questions are: how long has this been the case, are there problems that I just don't know about caused by the external rename? Thanks.

Mike Zdeb NYS Department of Health ESP Tower - Room 1811 Albany, NY 12237 518/473-2855