>I have an SQL command:
>
>SELECT IDNUM FROM CONTDB WHERE UPPER(ALLTRIM(ln)) = 'VOSS'
>
>In VFP8 22 recs returned in .78 secs
>In VFP9 243 recs return in 23.47 secs
>
>The extra records have a blank LN
>

use SYS(3054,11) for check OPTIMIZATION

Check SET ANSI ON for

>
>COUNT FOR UPPER(ALLTRIM(ln)) = 'VOSS' shows 22 in both 8&9
>
>I have an index on:
>
>UPPER(ALLTRIM(ln))
>
>Any idea?

try

COUNT NOOPTIMIZE FOR UPPER(ALLTRIM(ln)) = 'VOSS'