speed up matches query

I have a variable, str, which contains the string "CAR RENTAL COMPANY." I check a look up table to see if any of the values in the table are found in the string. If so, it continues a while statement. For example, table value may be RENT. I check this by using IF STR MATCHES "\\*RENT\\*". The word RENT can be found anywhere in str to qualify as a throw out. This works fine. It is also so ungodly slow that I'm hoping there is a more effective way to do it. I have an old DOS APL program which does the same thing in about a quarter of the time. -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own