[PHP-WIN] form-problems

[bw]

Hi,

new to PHP and already problems with simple stuff. 
Created a simple html/php-form with a couple of inputfields like:
<form action="<? echo $PHP_SELF;?>" method="post">
<input type="text" name="lastname" value="<?php echo $lastname;?>  

and
I expected to get back the variables in the simple answerpart: 
<?php
echo "your lastname is <br>$lastname<br>";
......
?>

but get back nothing but the raw answer text.
Code should be o.k. Perhaps some missing  ini -entries? or  browser-problem (MSIE5.00) 
?
Working with  Apache 1.3.26 on  W2k.

Anyone a clue?

thx in advance ,

B.