Middle set -- how should I have played it?

[jlacks]

The actual hands here are atypical. Usually you figure to either be drawing to one out, or up against straight and flush draws. This is the classic tough situation where you are either slightly ahead or way behind. The slightly ahead situation seems much more likely here based on the play and the fact that you are short stacked means you absolutely can not fold here. The real question is lead out or check raise. Check raising has less appeal here based on your stack. Once its been bet it seems unlikely you can get anyone to fold - so I would favor betting right out.