<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000068622 <NAME> U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999 JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 61 61 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,811 1,811 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 211 211 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,332 2,332 <PP&E> 37,350 37,350 <DEPRECIATION> 21,301 21,301 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,978 19,978 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,308 5,308 <BONDS> 5,408 5,408 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 4,720 4,720 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 19,978 19,978 <SALES> 2,926 11,464 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,926 11,464 <CGS> 0 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,168 8,504 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 114 403 <INCOME-PRETAX> 640 2,520 <INCOME-TAX> 245 958 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 395 1,562 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 395 1,562 <EPS-BASIC> 0 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 0