>>I understand, but still may you try two inner joins (one with table1 to table2) and another with (table2 to table1) and see, if there is any difference? Perhaps there would not be one.
>>
>>You have me thoroughly confused... :-)

Mike,

with SQL Server, sometimes, the table order matters greatly for speed. I've never been able to figure out a rhyme or reason why, but sometimes there is a noticeable difference shifting the order of one of the joins...