Adding variables to SAS datasets - Multiple at a time

[maroulator]

The code below references the attached data set. I know that I can drop three variables and even more at a time from the array 'month' by simply changing the number of elements in me array. Is there a simpler way for me to also add three or more variables at a time, without having to write them out one after the other as I have done with month16, month17, and month18 below? All new variables added would have the same value.

        data hpi;

          set example;
             array month{15} month1-month15;

             drop month13-month15;
               month16=month15;

               month17=month15;

               month18=month15;
            run;

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

data hpi; 

          set example;
             array month{15} month1-month18; /* if a variable doesn't already exist but is referenced when creating an array the variable will be created*/

             drop month13-month15;

          do _i_ = 16 to 18; month[_i_] = month15; end;
            run;