US West said its first-quarter profit rose...

US West said its first-quarter profit rose 17%, boosted in part by a one-time gain from the settlement of a tax dispute. Without the gain, US West would have posted a 9.6% rise.

The phone company, which provides local phone service in many western states, said it earned $334.4 million, or 81 cents a share, compared to $285.9 million, or 73 cents a share, in 1991’s first quarter.