Try the following syntax

n 217. execute.

This will retain the first 217 rows and delete the rest. Remember to save the new file with the 217 cases afterward.

>>> Talino Bruno <tbruno@AXION.NET> 11/29/00 10:10PM >>> I did something to my data editor and know I have 800+ rows of data. I only actually need 217 and after that the numbers on my rows are dark and not faded. When I do analysis SPSS says I have 600 items missing. I need to get rid of these rows. I tried clear but there is no data in them so that doesn't work. I have SPSS 9 so cut and paste is a pain plus it mean I have to rename the variables when I do cut and paste (they paste as var 00001 etc). Any suggestions.

Take care, Talino