SQL has a slightly different profile than the data step (on the faster windows server). 10% longer elapse and 10% less cpu used.   NOTE: PROCEDURE SQL used (Total process time):       real time           31.58 seconds       cpu time            25.55 seconds   It would be interesting to know more. Index usage is indeed the first thing to come to mind for such a dramatic improvement, though there is no reason only SQL should use the index.   ... View more