Best practice is to define the variable before using it so that SAS does not have to guess how you want it defined.
data new;
length percent 8 cPLTL $20 ;
input percent cPLTL ;
cards;
2.19 cPLTL
17.03 non-cPLTL
;
PS: Do not indent lines of in-line data. To remind you not to intend the data do not indent the CARDS/DATATLINE statement either.
PPS: Do not insert physical tab characters into data lines. You also shouldn't be inserting tabs into lines of program code as they are invisible to humans and can end up in the middle of the lines and result in really strangely formatted code. Instead take advantage of the editor's ability to translate you hitting the TAB key into inserting the correct number of spaces you like to use.