/*for your reference*/
proc format;
value sex 1='f'
2='m';
run;
data a;
format grp sex.;
do grp=1 to 2;
output;
end;
run;
proc sql noprint;
select distinct ogrp into:colvalues separated by ' '
from(select distinct grp as ogrp format=1. from a);
quit;
%put &colvalues.;