Actually , It could be rewrited by WHICHN(). I think it is more readable for you .   data want; array col(5) (1 4 5 5 4); temp=max(of col(*)); idx=whichn(temp,of col(*)); col{idx}=.; index_of_1nd=idx; value_1=vname(col(index_of_1nd)); temp=max(of col(*)); idx=whichn(temp,of col(*)); col{idx}=.; index_of_2nd=idx; value_2=vname(col(index_of_2nd)); drop temp idx; run; ... View more

data want; set have; want=input(scan(thedata,2," "),best.); run; Note I assume your data is called have and the variable is thedata. Post test data in the form of a datastep in the post using a code window, we cannot guess!!!!  ... View more