Default Date Format

[ocp2b]

I think my database has a date problem.

Oracle 8.1.7
Win2000

In the init.ora file:

NLS_DATE_FORMAT='MM/DD/YYYY'

From v$parameter: MM/DD/YYYY

Problem. When I "Select sysdate from dual" I get 27-FEB-02.
When I select from a table that has a date value I get: 27-FEB-02.

Why can I not get the date in MM/DD/YYYY format?