Tables for layout is generally considered by Web Designers & Developers as a big 'No, no!', as it is clearly an abuse of their intended use.
Back in the days of NS4 and IE4, tables were the only way to ensure cross-browser visual consistency and this was the point that lead to such widespead use. However, this is no longer the case. Unless visual consistency in ancient browsers is required, tables for layout should be avoided.
In most cases, proven layouts such as the CSS float-and-margin 2/3 column layout (
http://www.fu2k.org/alex/css/layouts...NN4_FMFM.mhtml) should be used. These layouts work today in today's browsers and will become the standard (if they haven't already).
On the flipside, some people say don't use tables at all. This is "wrong". Tables should be used as they are intended - for displaying tabular data. Don't take my word for it, read what people are saying about tables for layout!
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...ayout%22&meta=