>I understand that COM is just an implementation. I just wasn't sure how to get the data in a non-ADO implementation where each tier is physically separated.

Passing objects will do the trick. For example, you can ask the
server to run the query and return you a record object. The object
has physical properties that travel over the wire. You can update
the object, send it back to the server and the server then takes
and updates the database. Works for single records and multi-records
all the same as long as the data is wrapped up in properties or
collections.

You can use VFP objects for this no sweat. You can use RDS for example
and use the Remote Object access features even if you don't return
anything ADO related over HTTP. If you have direct net access then
DCOM will work more smoothly...