You could easily set the value of the drop down list . Either using code or 
directly in the aspx file. 

        <asp:DropDownList ID="DropDownList1" runat="server">
        <asp:ListItem Text="Murugan" Value="1"></asp:ListItem>
        <asp:ListItem Text="Andezuthu" Value="2"></asp:ListItem>
        <asp:ListItem Selected="True" Text="Dharmaratnam" Value="3"></asp:ListItem>
        </asp:DropDownList>

OR

<asp:dropdownlist id="txtProcedures" runat="server" tabindex="6" title="Select Procedure" width="150px">
<asp:listitem text="Select Procedures" value="Select Procedures" selected="True"></asp:listitem>
<asp:dropdownlist></asp:dropdownlist>

</asp:dropdownlist>