MS SQL Server 2000 Row Numbering

select rank=count(*), a1.au_lname, a1.au_fname
   from authors a1, authors a2
   where a1.au_lname + a1.au_fname >= a2.au_lname + a2.au_fname
   group by a1.au_lname, a1.au_fname
   order by rank

source: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;186133