Defaults in drop down list...

I have a drop down list with all fifty states. very common. I conjured up a way to store the value when you return to edit the form, but there most be an easier way either in html, or in php. Here is what I currently have. <select name="state"> <option value="AL"{$stateselected['AL']}>Alabama</option> <option value="AK"{$stateselected['AK']}>Alaska</option> <option value="AZ"{$stateselected['AZ']}>Arizona</option> . </select> $stateselected['$state'] is an array that stores the state that was selected on the prior form. is there an easier way, to have a default state picked out of this drop down list.??? Thanks, Steven Kallstrom