perils of SQL 2000, no modify date

if you only want to check the existence of the table before updating it, use sysobjects instead, and about your question, please update about the existence of indexes.

you can use the following query for the same:

create table arjun_temp(method varchar(20), success varchar(20))

insert into arjun_temp select

'bank','success'

insert into arjun_temp select

'bank','failure'

insert into arjun_temp select

'finance','success'

insert into arjun_temp select

'finance','success'

insert...

I agree with Jack that you should post the question in the right forum only.

Coming to your question, a more performant way can be as follows:

select method, sum(case when...

Do one thing, SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT ON and then execute the query. SQL will give you the execution plan in TEXT. Copy and paste it here for further support.