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It is possible for the $ASCIIw. informat to overwrite other variables.
For example:

   DATA EXAMPLE;
     LENGTH X $ 8;
     OTHERVAR='0123456789';
     PUT _ALL_;
     INPUT X $ASCII15.;
     PUT _ALL_;
   DATALINES;
   abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
   ;

The result of the PUT statement in the SAS Log is:

  X=abcdefgh OTHERVAR=ijklmno789 _ERROR_=0 _N_=1

The LENGTH statement assigns variable X a width of 8 which is shorter
than the width specified in the $ASCII15. informat.  Even though
variable X is assigned a length of 8, the width of the $ASCII informat
is used to read 15 characters into the input buffer.  Because the
variable OTHERVAR is coded prior to the INPUT statement, variable X is
assigned the first 8 of the 15 characters and the remaining 7
characters overlay the first 7 characters of OTHERVAR.

The same incorrect behavior can occur by using the LENGTH= option in
the ATTRIB statement and/or by using the $ASCIIw. informat with the
INPUT function.

The problem can be prevented by removing the LENGTH statement,
changing the length specification in the LENGTH statement to match the
width used with the $ASCII informat, or by moving the assignment
statement for OTHERVAR after the INPUT statement.

A Technical Support hot fix for Release 8.2 TSLEVEL TS2M0 for this
issue is available at:

http://www.sas.com/techsup/download/hotfix/82_sbcs_prod_list.html#005408

For customers running SAS with Asian Language Support (DBCS), this
hot fix should be downloaded from:

http://www.sas.com/techsup/download/hotfix/82_dbcs_prod_list.html#005408

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for Release 8.2 (TS2M0) for this issue is available at:

A fix for Release 8.2 (TS2M0) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: