Exhibit 12
U S WEST, Inc.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (1)
(Dollars in Millions)
Quarter Ended
9/30/98 9/30/97
- ------------------------------------------ --------- --------
Income before income taxes
and extraordinary item $ 608 $ 674
Interest expense (net of amounts
capitalized) 172 100
Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 20 23
--------- --------
Earnings $ 800 $ 797
Interest expense $ 178 $ 104
Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 20 23
--------- --------
Fixed charges $ 198 $ 127
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.04 6.28
- ------------------------------------------ --------- --------
Nine Months Ended
9/30/98 9/30/97
- ------------------------------------------ --------- --------
Income before income taxes
and extraordinary item $ 1,843 $ 2,011
Interest expense (net of amounts
capitalized) 378 304
Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 64 65
--------- --------
Earnings $ 2,285 $ 2,380
Interest expense $ 395 $ 319
Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 64 65
--------- --------
Fixed charges $ 459 $ 384
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.98 6.20
- ------------------------------------------ --------- --------
<FN>
(1) The historical ratios are based on the consolidated historical
results of U S WEST and include interest expense associated
with the refinancing of $3.9 billion of Dex Indebtedness from the
separation date of June 12, 1998.
</FN>