allignment pblm in scripts

hi experts,

i have a Finance statement report like

name date amt

ddgfdfggffd 12/3/07 2000

gdfggd 14/2/07 3000

hd 15/6/07 1500

i have given

name(16) ,, date ,, amt

i want to give maximum 16 space for the name followed by date ..how to restict this .

when the name is shorter than 16 the date is coming front ...what shall id do for it???

regards,

mani