For RACF-indicated data sets, RACF® searches first for a discrete profile, and then, if one is not found, for a generic profile. If neither is found, access is denied. If a data set is not RACF-indicated, the data set is RACF-protected only if there is a covering generic profile. The search is done in the following order:

1. Discrete profile if the data set is RACF-indicated.
2. Fully-qualified generic profile.
3. Other generic profiles from the most specific to the least specific profile name.