>>What happened? Show your .cshrc.
>
>Gave me an error about missing closing quote
>
>My original .cshrc:
>
>if ($?prompt) then
>         set mch = `hostname -s`
>         set prompt = "${mch:q}: {\!} "
>endif
>
>My trial .cshrc:
>
>set mch = `hostname -s`
>alias setprompt 'set prompt = "-- $cwd --${mch:q}: {\!} "'
>
>if ($?prompt) then
>         setprompt
>endif

First thing is that in the quoted .cshrc, I don't see a return in 
your setprompt alias. Also, the \ is required just prior to the 
return. Finally, I think that it's the alias that ismessing up. I put 
the following into my .cshrc and it worked fine.

set mch = `hostname -s`
set prompt = "-- $cwd -- \
${mch:q}: {\!} "

However, when I put this in, it gave the unmatched " error.

set mch = `hostname -s`
alias setprompt 'set prompt = "-- $cwd -- \
${mch:q}: {\!} "'
setprompt

I take it that you desire the alias so that you can use it from your 
interactive shell if something changes your prompt.

Hope this helps,
Mike
Bikers don't *DO* taglines.