don't know if this will help, but maybe you can find related info in a  
discussion re the LISTF,access-enhancement in -97.
From the archive:
http://raven.utc.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind9709D&L=hp3000-l&P=R4423

hth
/per
---------------------------------------------------
Per Ostberg  / [log in to unmask]
phone +46-8-58581213 / fax +46-8-58587710
Huddinge University Hospital
LabMedicin-IT / C1 74 / S-141 86  HUDDINGE / SWEDEN
---------------------------------------------------

> -----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
> Från: Leonard.Berkowitz /internet
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Skickat: den 23 oktober 2000 21:48
> Till: HP3000-L /internet
> Kopia: Leonard.Berkowitz /internet
> Ämne: [HP3000-L] MSG file EOF in MPE/iX and MPEX
>  
>  
> If I execute a LISTF file,2 (where "file" is a message file  
> that is currently
> being read),
>  
>    MPE/iX returns a steadily decreasing number (reasonable  
> since the reads are
>    destructive)
>  
>    MPEX returns the same number
>  
> Why is this? And how can I get MPEX to see the declining number?
>  
> Thanks.
> ===================
> Leonard S. Berkowitz
> Perot Health Care Systems
> (Harvard Pilgrim Health Care account)
> voice: 617-509-1212
> fax:   617-509-3737
> pager: 781-226-2431
>