use strict; # To make sure you use the right package names.
package My_Wrapper;
sub My_get_data 
{ 
    local $x, $y, $z; # I had 'my', but [tilly] is right.
                      # Thats why I said, "I think." here.
    get_data( @_ );
    return ( $x, $y, $z );
}
package My_main
my ( $x, $y, $z ) = My_Wrapper::My_get_data;
[download]

thanks Adam, I'll play around with that and local and see if I can't beat something into submission... it certainly isn't a very attractive way to do it, but if it works I guess I can't complain too much...

That has to be a local, the my is not visible to get_data. (Which is kinda the idea...) Possible gotcha. He may assume that some globals are set later.

BTW if you will have to work with this kind of idiocy and cannot get relief, I suggest finding a more congenial workplace. They may take finding, but they do exist...