Sorting Cells With Alpha Numeric Values

[69-er]

I would like to sort data that have aplha numeric values. When I use the
sort command, the alpha numeric values are sorted by place values instead of
the actual value of the number. Like alphabetical except with numbers
instead of letters.

For instance, I would like to these numbers sorted like this:

17A
265A
1492A
1609A
1656B

Instead, Excel sorts them like this:

1492A
1609A
1656B
17A
265A

The suffixed alpha characters alter the way the numbers would normally be
sorted.

Any ideas how I can sort them more logically/numericaly?

Thanks!

Larry