PROBLEM:
    SAS Release 7 is not able to read SAS Data Sets created in Version 6.04 (SAS-PC for DOS). SAS Release 6.04 Data Sets have the DOS file extension .ssd. This is one of the first times SAS has distributed a product that is not compatible with all previous formats of data storage.

    SOLUTION:
    If Version 6 (Release 6.08 or above) is available, convert the .ssd file to an .sd2 file using a variant of the following:

      libname in v604 'c:\mysaspc';
      libname out v612 'c:\mysaswin';
      proc copy in=in out=out;

    It is not necessary to use the v604 and v612 engines; they are placed in the example for purposes of explicitness. Note, however, that ONLY SAS 6.04 (.ssd) Data Sets should be in the first directory (c:\mysaspc in the example), and there should be no .ssd files in the second directory (c:\mysaspc in the example). In other words, keep the SAS data sets of the two types (.ssd and .sd2) separated in their respective places.

    If Version 6 is not available, the process is a bit more involved. First, go to the SAS Web site and download the SAS System Viewer. This software is a free package that is included with the SAS System on the CD distributed by ITS, but the Web site will have the most recent version, and installation is probably easier this way.

    1. go to http://www.sas.com/
    2. click Demos/Downloads (left of page, under Software)
    3. find 'SAS System Viewer' in the 'Downloads Sorted Alphabetically' field (top of page)
    4. follow instructions to download and install the Viewer
    5. launch the Viewer, and click Open to load the .ssd file
    6. click 'Save as File' and choose your favorite format (comma-delimited .csv is recommended)
    7. open SAS Version 7 or higher and read in the newly-saved file using the Import Wizard

    ITS consultants may be able to help with conversions of Version 6.04 SAS data sets to current versions. Contact them at 213.740.5555, or in LVL Lower Commons, or by eMail (<consult@usc.edu>) for more information.