Ordering select results without ORDER BY

I have some vendor code that I am supporting that has some incorrect SQL. Currently it is trying to get the lowest available check number from a checks table using the following SQL:

    select * from checks
    where rownum = 1 and check_status = 'A'     order by check_no

I know this returns the wrong number since the rownum is being applied before the order by. I have fixed the SQL but cannot apply the code change for two weeks because of a server migration. In the meantime is there any way I can order the checks table physically by check_no (not currently a key or index) so the above SQL will return the correct result?

Thanks. Received on Tue Dec 11 2001 - 08:23:20 CST