"Michele Burlew's book is one of the best resources for combining and modifying data in SAS. This book provides abundant examples and the descriptions are clear and easy to understand for the beginner or advanced SAS user. As an epidemiologist for the state of Connecticut, I analyze multiple large data sets from the national and state levels that often need to be edited and merged before analysis. This is the most comprehensive book I have found to provide examples of numerous methods for combining data in SAS in a time-efficient manner. It is the ideal book for anyone wanting to manipulate and combine data to fit their specific needs."

"This book is indispensible for anyone who handles SAS data sets. As a statistician who prefers analyzing data much more than getting the data into an analyzable form, this book will greatly reduce the time spent mashing up data sets. An exhaustive collection of techniques for the handling of data sets, I frequently found myself saying "Wow, I wish I had known that a lot earlier in my career." I especially liked the layout of the book. The side-by-side code and commentary will help anyone quickly become a DATA step & PROC SQL guru."

"In Combining and Modifying SAS Data Sets: Examples, Second Edition, Michele Burlew states the problem, lists the software tools that will be used in the example, and provides some sample data with a little explanation to go with it. Then, and only then, does she provide a sample program to solve the problem.

Of course every programmer learns early in their career that there is never just one way to solve a problem programmatically! That is why my favorite feature of this book is that most examples are concluded with a section called 'Related Technique(s)' where alternate approaches to solve the problem are also provided and explained.

I anticipate that this book will be an excellent addition to many personal and corporate bookshelves-starting with my own."