The X in bestX. refers to the maximum length of the item (for numerics it includes the . if present) so best4. could be: 123 1.23 12.3   Without knowing your data we cannot possible tell you what format best applies to the data only you can see or know about.   I would also suggest running through the tutorials and such like that SAS provide as this is a basic fundamental of SAS: http://video.sas.com/#category/videos/how-to-tutorials ... View more

For future reference, paste code from the log with error messages into a code box using the forum {i} icon. That will preserve the plain text format of the log and the underscore characters, which show where SAS detected the error will align correctly. The main message windows on this forum will reformat pasted text otherwise. ... View more

First of all, I would get rid of all those idiotic 'some_hard_to_read_text'n names and use standard SAS-compatible names. 'XXXXXXXXX'n names only cause confusion and unnecessary work during typing. 'Smokes_(years)'n can easily be replaced by smokes_years without any loss of meaning.   If a variable that should be numeric is imported as character, you have to look at the data in the external file and correct the import process. If a variable can't be corrected there, you have to replace it with a step like this: %let varname=place_your_varname_here; data want; set have (rename=(&varname=__&varname)); &varname = input(__&varname,best.); /* use a proper informat here */ drop __&varname; run; ... View more