The quick answer is that as a Dos program SOA in 2001 reached the maximum lines and variables the compiler could handle.  So I had to split the program in two.. BKSOA and BKSOA2  Header and Lines.. now when the program runs it jumps from header program to line program and it has to save the data in between run files.. if you save a header without saving lines ie. enter a new so and get to the line item screen then press Exit.  I needed to go back and erase the header assuming you did not want to really save that SO in the first place.  The message you are getting is because the Esc is falling into that same code, and it's not really deleting anything...