Check latest date in 3 different tables

[podarum]

Hi, what is the best way to check what the latest dates are in 3 differet tables from one procedure?  The vriable 'Process_Date' is called the same in all 3 tables, however there are no linkage between the 3 tables.. like acct. number.  Also is there a way to see the same ask, but if the term 'process_Date' is called different for all 3 tables?  Thanks.

[Reeza]

What are you expecting for output? 3 diff dates, highest from each?

One date that's highest from all three tables? 

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

data want (keep=max_date);
set
  table1
  table2
  table3
  end=done
;
retain max_date;
format max_date date9.;
max_date = max(max_date,process_date);
if done
then do;
  call symput('max_date',put(max_date,best.));
  output;
end;
run;

gives you both a dataset and a macro variable for further use.

[Kurt_Bremser]

If your date variable is called differently in the datasets, use the rename= dataset option to make it same.