You could use the Recordset object's PageSize and MaxRecords properties if you are using ADO or in .Net when you use the .Fill method set the maxrecords property to limit the number returned. You could offer the user the option of how many to return(10,50,100 etc) and pass in that value.

Useful links:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...p/asps3reb.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...maxrecords.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...axrecordsx.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...FillTopic8.asp