proc import and data management

[aklr]

I am trying to read an SPSS dataset into SAS using proc import and subsequently modify a few of the variables. I am relatively new to SAS and know that data modifying belongs in a data step, but I cannot seem to get the order right. If I put the data step after proc import, I lose the dataset that I imported, but if I try to put the proc import statement within a data step (like below), I get an error in the log that says that the "if" statement is used out of proper order. Please advise. Thank you!

data nida.ppi;

     proc import datafile = "SPSS dataset.sav" data = nida.ppi replace;

     if inform_r < 5 then inform = "Bio Parent";

     proc contents short;

run;

[art297 · Accepted solution]

Break the task into steps and create new datasets.  e.g.,

proc import datafile = "SPSS dataset.sav" data = nida.ppi replace;

run;

data step2;

  set nida.ppi;

  if inform_r < 5 then inform = "Bio Parent";

run;

proc contents data=step2 short;

run;