select level, min('col_name') from my_table where level = '&n' connect by prior ('col_name') <

'col_name')

group by level;

Example:

Given a table called emp with the following columns:

-- id number

-- name varchar2(20)

-- sal number

--

-- For the second lowest salary:

-- select level, min(sal) from emp

-- where level=2

-- connect by prior sal < sal

-- group by level

select max(sal)"nth min sal" from(select distinct sal from emp order by sal) where rownum<=&N