EXHIBIT 12
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
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1997 1996 1995 1994 1993(1)
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Income before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative
effect of changes in accounting principles...................... $ 2,018 $ 2,001 $ 1,917 $ 1,881 $ 687
Interest expense (net of amounts capitalized).................... 374 414 386 331 374
Interest factor on rentals (1/3)................................. 67 54 60 70 67
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Earnings......................................................... $ 2,459 $ 2,469 $ 2,363 $ 2,282 $ 1,128
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Interest expense................................................. $ 394 $ 445 $ 426 $ 367 $ 374
Interest factor on rentals (1/3)................................. 67 54 60 70 67
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Fixed charges.................................................... $ 461 $ 499 $ 486 $ 437 $ 441
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............................... 5.33 4.95 4.86 5.22 2.56
(1) The 1993 ratio includes a one-time restructuring charge of $880. Excluding
the restructuring charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have
been 4.55.