determining tab sizes

[ST7990@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU]

Hi,
      I'm parsing a file that was generated by a phonetic word-processor; and s
ubsequently edited on a multitude of other word-processors. MCL reads the tab c
har as a single character as it should. My problem is finding the tab size
(in terms of columns perhaps); the tabs in the file are of different sizes.
Any suggestions anyone?

Good day and thanks a lot.

Chris (SIUC).