If you want to analyze a data set that does not yet exist, you may be able to create it with SAS/LAB software. Several ways of creating a SAS data set are offered, whether your data are currently stored on paper or by computer. The data set creation facilities are accessed by selecting the button from the list of available data sets (for this list, select 'New' from the File pull-down menu or select the 'Data set:' keyword).
Note that separate facilities are available if you want to create a new data set that is a subset of the current one (see Creating a Subset of Observations or Variables).