> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Carlisle [mailto:davidc@xxxxxxxxx]

> You could do it via a recursive template 

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around that one.  If the processing is
also expensive, I'll use that as an excuse to run from this solution...

> So unless you _really_ need it to be a single pass without any extension
> function (in which case ask again) I'd definitely do it in two passes,
> first collecting together the grouping key then either in  asecond
> transformation or via node-set,do the grouping.

Consider me to have asked again.  Still, the only reason I need it in a
single pass is because I don't know how to do a double pass -- in xslt or in
java, which is going to be driving this whole wagon.  I would like to avoid
extension functions, but (imho) a solved problem is better than an unsolved
one, so I'll take what I can get.

Thanks again

E