>Try
>

>where SP.dDOB <> {} and not (PA.cSSN == "") ;
>

>
I fixed the problem and it's now running, but extremely slow.

select SN.cf_Name as cStage_fName, ;
SN.cl_Name as cStage_lName, SN.cm_Initial as cStage_mInitial, ;
NA.cf_Name, NA.cl_Name, NA.cm_Initial, NA.cNames_pk, ;
PA.cSSN, PA.dDOB, PA.cPatients_pk ;
from Stage_Patients SP ;
inner join Stage_Names SN on SP.cStage_Patients_pk = SN.cPointer_fk ;
inner join Patients PA on SP.dDOB = PA.dDOB and SP.cSSN = PA.cSSN ;
inner join Names NA on PA.cPatients_pk = NA.cPointer_fk ;
where SP.dDOB <> {} and not PA.cSSN == "" ;
and SN.cf_Name = NA.cf_Name ;
and SN.cl_Name = alltrim(substr(NA.cl_Name,2)) into cursor curProblems

Any way to speed up? I'll put set deleted off.