<BTB> EXHIBIT 99A2 EARNINGS NORMALIZATION SCHEDULE U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (UNAUDITED) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended In millions, except September 30, % September 30, % per share amounts 1997 1996 Change 1997 1996 Change - - ------------------------ ------- --------------------- -------------- NORMALIZED INCOME: Reported net income $ 336 $ 286 17.5 $1,007 $ 938 7.4 Adjustments to normalize net income: Rural exchange sales (19) (1) - (48) (31) 54.8 Extraordinary item-net of tax 3 - - 3 - - Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle-net of tax - - - - (34) - Current year effect of accounting change - net of tax - (3) - - (13) - ---------------- ---------------- Normalized income $ 320 $ 282 13.5 $ 962 $ 860 11.9 ================ ================ NORMALIZED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Reported net income $ 0.69 $ 0.60 15.0 $ 2.08 $ 1.97 5.6 Adjustments to normalize net income: Rural exchange sales (0.04) - - (0.10) (0.06) 66.7 Extraordinary item-net of tax 0.01 - - 0.01 - - Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle-net of tax - - - - (0.07) - Current year effect of accounting change - net of tax - (0.01) - - (0.03) - ---------------- ---------------- Normalized earnings per common share $ 0.66 $ 0.59 11.9 $ 1.99 $ 1.81 9.9 ================ ================ 7