CSS position:absolute for <INPUT ... > on form

Hi all, I have an internal project where I need to position input text boxes to simulate a desktop app that i am replacing. Can I define a stylesheet with absolute positioning for <INPUT>s. If so do the calls to class="..." or index="..." work in placed within the <INPUT . . .> statement? My understanding is that the <INPUT> is an inline element and that absolute positioning may be difficult. I have looked at well over 100 google responses without finding a clear answer. Thanks, Bob