<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000732718
<NAME> U S WEST, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             201                     201
<SECURITIES>                                        58                      58
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,113                   2,113
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        159                     159
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,038                   3,038
<PP&E>                                          37,756                  37,756
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,475                  19,475
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,598                  40,598
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,074                   6,074
<BONDS>                                         14,300                  14,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,131                   1,131
<PREFERRED>                                        920                     920
<COMMON>                                        10,741                  10,741
<OTHER-SE>                                       (150)                   (150)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,598                  40,598
<SALES>                                          3,558                  12,911
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,558                  12,911
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,872                  10,056
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 201                     612
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    338                   1,840
<INCOME-TAX>                                       108                     696
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                230                   1,444
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                      34
<NET-INCOME>                                       230                   1,178
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65                    2.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65                    2.62