A method for storing intermediate result sets in a database is provided. An access plan for a single query for accessing data stored in the database system is received. An intermediate result set is generated during execution of the access plan. A value of an intermediate result set rating of the intermediate result set is determined during execution of the access plan at runtime of the query for determining if the intermediate result set, generated during the execution of the access plan, is to be stored. Based on determining that the value of the intermediate result set rating meets a predefined criterion, the determined intermediate result set is stored for a longer period of time than the runtime of the query as a stored intermediate result set.