PACIFIC BELL
10-Q, 1996-08-13
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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                                    <PAGE>


                                   FORM 10-Q

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

          (X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996

                                      OR

         ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                         Commission File Number 1-1414


                                 PACIFIC BELL


                        I.R.S. Employer No. 94-0745535
                           A California Corporation


          140 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94105

                     Telephone - Area Code (415) 542-9000



Indicate by  check  mark whether  the  registrant (1)  has  filed all  reports
required to be filed  by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during  the preceding  12 months  (or for  such shorter  period that  the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X    No    .
                                               ---      ---

         At July 31, 1996, 224,504,982 common shares were outstanding.


THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF  PACIFIC TELESIS GROUP, MEETS THE
CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF   FORM 10-Q AND
IS  THEREFORE  FILING THIS  FORM WITH  REDUCED  DISCLOSURE FORMAT  PURSUANT TO
GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2).



















                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                        Page 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                         Number
- ------------------------------                                         ------

Item 1.  Financial Statements

            Review Report of Independent Accountants ..............        1

            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income ...........        2

            Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets .................        3

            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows .......        4

            Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ..        5

Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
            Operations ............................................        9


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------

Item 6.     Exhibits ..............................................       18


SIGNATURE ............................................................    19
- --------- 

































                                    <PAGE>

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

                   REVIEW REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareowner of Pacific Bell:

We  have reviewed  the accompanying  condensed consolidated  balance  sheet of
Pacific Bell  and Subsidiaries  (the "Company")  as of June  30, 1996  and the
related  condensed consolidated statements of  income for the  three- and six-
month periods ended  June 30, 1996  and 1995,  and the condensed  consolidated
statements of  cash flows for  the six-month periods  ended June 30,  1996 and
1995.   These  financial statements  are the  responsibility of  the Company's
management.

We  conducted our  review  in accordance  with  standards established  by  the
American  Institute  of Certified  Public Accountants.    A review  of interim
financial information  consists principally of applying  analytical procedures
to  financial data and making  inquiries of persons  responsible for financial
and  accounting matters.   It  is substantially  less in  scope than  an audit
conducted  in  accordance  with  generally accepted  auditing  standards,  the
objective of which  is the expression  of an  opinion regarding the  financial
statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based  on our  review, we  are not  aware of  any material  modifications that
should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements
for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

The  Company discontinued  application  of Statement  of Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 71 effective third quarter 1995.

We have previously  audited, in  accordance with  generally accepted  auditing
standards,  the consolidated balance sheet of Pacific Bell and Subsidiaries as
of  December  31, 1995,  and the  related  consolidated statements  of income,
shareowner's  equity, and cash  flows for the  year then ended  (not presented
herein);  and  in  our  report  dated  February  22,  1996,  we  expressed  an
unqualified  opinion  on  those  consolidated financial  statements.    In our
opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed  consolidated
balance  sheet as  of December  31, 1995,  is fairly  stated, in  all material
respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been
derived.



/s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
San Francisco, California     

August 12, 1996









                                       1








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)

                                     For the 3 Months       For the 6 Months
                                      Ended June 30,         Ended June 30, 
                                     ----------------       ----------------
(Dollars in millions)                  1996      1995         1996     1995 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING REVENUES                                                         
Local service ...................    $  996    $  928       $1,956   $1,859 
Network access:                                                            
  Interstate ....................       447       413          890      844 
  Intrastate ....................       185       177          363      343 
Toll service ....................       316       290          628      604 
Other service revenues ..........       408       378          798      748 
                                     ------    ------       ------    -----
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES.........     2,352     2,186        4,635    4,398 
                                     ------    ------       ------    -----
OPERATING EXPENSES                                                         
Cost of products and services ...       395       425          837      924 
Customer operations and                                                   
  selling expenses ..............       472       439          934      875 
General, administrative, and                                             
  other expenses ................       376       317          687      619 
Property and other taxes.........        42        51           86       96 
Depreciation and amortization ...       456       460          908      920 
                                     ------    ------       ------    -----
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES.........     1,741     1,692        3,452    3,434 
                                     ------    ------       ------    -----
OPERATING INCOME.................       611       494        1,183      964 
Interest expense.................        94       109          182      217 
Other income (expense) - net.....        (2)        8            1       28 
                                     ------    ------       ------    -----
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.......       515       393        1,002      775 
Income taxes.....................       211       150          408      286 
                                     ------    ------       ------   ------
NET INCOME.......................    $  304    $  243       $  594   $  489 
============================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated 
Financial Statements.















                                       2








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                    June 30,   December 31,
(Dollars in millions)                                 1996         1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS:                                            (Unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents.........................   $    45       $    68 
Accounts receivable - (net of allowances for
  uncollectibles of $142 and $131 in 1996 
  and 1995, respectively).........................     1,519         1,475 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........       874           802 
                                                     -------       -------
Total current assets..............................     2,438         2,345 
                                                     -------       -------
Property, plant, and equipment - at cost..........    27,422        26,688
  Less:  accumulated depreciation.................   (16,213)      (15,608)
                                                     -------       -------
Property, plant, and equipment - net..............    11,209        11,080 
                                                     -------       -------
Other noncurrent assets...........................       467           474 
                                                     -------       -------
TOTAL ASSETS......................................   $14,114       $13,899 
                                                     =======       =======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNER'S EQUITY:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..........   $ 2,052        $2,109 
Debt maturing within one year.....................       570           781 
Other current liabilities.........................       457           552 
                                                     -------       -------
Total current liabilities.........................     3,079         3,442 
                                                     -------       -------
Long-term obligations.............................     5,020         4,608 
                                                     -------       -------
Deferred income taxes.............................       383           321 
                                                     -------       -------
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits.     2,277         2,417 
                                                     -------       -------
Commitments and contingencies (Note B)                                   
                                                                           
Common stock ($1.00 stated value, 300,000,000                              
  shares authorized, 224,504,982 shares issued                             
  and outstanding)................................       225           225 
Additional paid-in capital........................     5,549         5,387 
Accumulated deficit...............................    (2,419)       (2,501)
                                                     -------       -------
Total shareowner's equity.........................     3,355         3,111 
                                                     -------       -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNER'S EQUITY.........   $14,114       $13,899 
===========================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.


                                       3








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)
                                                     For the 6 Months Ended
                                                             June 30,   
                                                     ---------------------- 
(Dollars in millions)                                       1996       1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                 
Net income...........................................    $   594    $  489 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from                           
 operating activities:                                                     
  Depreciation and amortization......................        908       920 
  Change in deferred income taxes....................         64         7 
  Unamortized investment tax credits.................        (23)      (25)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                             
    Accounts receivable..............................        (66)      175 
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets........        (28)      (6)
    Other noncurrent assets..........................         (1)      151 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.........       (120)     (156)
    Other current liabilities........................        (95)      (11)
    Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits       (117)     (235)
  Other adjustments, net.............................          7       (12)
                                                         -------   -------
Cash from operating activities.......................      1,123     1,297 
                                                         -------   -------
CASH FROM (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                 
Additions to property, plant, and equipment..........     (1,057)     (817)
Other investing activities, net......................        (20)        2 
                                                         -------   -------
Cash used for investing activities...................     (1,077)     (815)
                                                         -------   -------
CASH FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                 
Equity infusion from parent..........................        162         - 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.............        248         - 
Dividends paid.......................................       (417)     (477)
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net....       (223)        1 
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions........        178         -
Other financing activities, net......................        (17)       (2)
                                                         -------   -------
Cash used for financing activities...................        (69)     (478)
                                                         -------   -------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.....        (23)        4   
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1...............         68        62 
                                                         -------    -------
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30.................    $    45    $   66 
                                                         =======    =======
Cash payments for:                                                         
  Interest...........................................    $   175     $ 218 
  Income taxes.......................................    $   193     $ 156
===========================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated 
Financial Statements



                                       4








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

A.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The Condensed Consolidated  Financial Statements include the  accounts of
     Pacific  Bell, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Pacific Bell Directory,
     Pacific Bell Information Services, Pacific Bell Mobile  Services, Pacific
     Bell  Internet Services,  Pacific Bell  Network  Integration and  others,
     hereinafter referred to as  the "Company".  All  significant intercompany
     balances   and  transactions   have   been   eliminated.  The   Condensed
     Consolidated  Financial  Statements  reflect  reclassifications  made  to
     conform with the  current year presentation.  These reclassifications did
     not affect net income or shareowner's equity.

     The Condensed  Consolidated Financial  Statements have  been prepared  in
     accordance with the rules and  regulations of the Securities and Exchange
     Commission  ("SEC") applicable to interim financial information.  Certain
     information and  footnote disclosures  included  in financial  statements
     prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have
     been condensed  or omitted in  these interim statements pursuant  to such
     SEC  rules and  regulations.   Management recommends  that  these interim
     financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated
     financial  statements and notes  thereto included  in the  Company's 1995
     annual  report on Form  10-K.  Effective third  quarter 1995, the Company
     discontinued accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
     No.  ("SFAS")  71,  "Accounting  for  the Effects  of  Certain  Types  of
     Regulation."

     In management's opinion, the  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
     include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments)
     necessary  to  present  fairly  the financial  position  and  results  of
     operations  for each interim  period shown.   The  Condensed Consolidated
     Financial Statements  have been  reviewed  by Coopers  & Lybrand  L.L.P.,
     independent accountants.  Their report is on page 1.


     Change In Estimates

     In March  1996,  management  amended the  salaried  pension  plan,  which
     changed from a final  pay plan to a  cash balance plan.   As a result  of
     the  approval of this plan amendment,  in second quarter 1996 the Company
     updated its  actuarial assumptions to reflect changes  in market interest
     rates  and recent  experience,  including  a  change  in  its  assumption
     concerning future ad hoc increases in pension benefits.  These changes in
     estimates increased net  income by approximately  $37 million for  second
     quarter 1996 in comparison to the same period in 1995.








                                       5








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

                                        
B.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     Merger Agreement

     On April  1, 1996, SBC  Communications Inc. ("SBC") and  Pacific Telesis,
     the  Company's parent, jointly  announced a definitive  agreement whereby
     Pacific  Telesis will  become a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of SBC.   Under
     terms of the merger agreement, each share of Pacific Telesis common stock
     will  be exchanged  for  0.733 shares  of SBC  common  stock, subject  to
     adjustment.  The transaction is intended to be accounted for as a pooling
     of  interests and to be a tax-free reorganization.  On July 31, 1996, the
     shareowners of Pacific  Telesis and SBC  approved the transaction,  which
     previously had been approved by the respective Board of Directors of each
     company.   The  merger is  subject to  certain conditions  and regulatory
     approvals,  including  approval   by  the  California   Public  Utilities
     Commission ("CPUC"), which  has established a schedule for  review of the
     transaction with final  comments from interested parties due  in December
     1996.  If approvals are granted, the  transaction is expected to close in
     the first quarter of 1997.  
 
     Purchase Commitments

     In  December 1994,  the  Company contracted  for  the purchase  of  up to
     $2 billion  of  Advanced  Communications Network  facilities,  which will
     incorporate emerging technologies.  The Company is committed  to purchase
     these facilities  in 1998  if they meet  certain quality  and performance
     criteria.  Management  now expects the actual amount  of these facilities
     purchased in 1998 will be less than $800 million.

     As  of  June 30,  1996, the  Company  had purchase  commitments  of about
     $232 million  remaining  in  connection  with  its  previously  announced
     program for  deploying an  all digital switching  platform with  ISDN and
     SS-7 capabilities.


















                                       6








                                    <PAGE>


                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

                                        
B.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Cont'd)

     Revenues Subject to Refund

     In  1992,  the  CPUC  issued  a  decision  adopting,  with  modification,
     SFAS 106, "Employers'  Accounting for Postretirement  Benefits Other than
     Pensions,"   for  regulatory  accounting  purposes.    Annual  price  cap
     decisions by the  CPUC granted the Company approximately  $100 million in
     each of  the years 1993-1996 for  partial recovery of higher  costs under
     SFAS 106.  However, the CPUC  in October 1994 reopened the proceeding  to
     determine the  criteria  for exogenous  cost  treatment and  whether  the
     Company should  continue to  recover these costs.  The CPUC's  order held
     that related  revenues collected  after October 12,  1994 are  subject to
     refund  plus interest.   It is possible  that the CPUC  could decide this
     issue in  the near  term, and  that the  decision could  have a  material
     adverse effect on the Company. Related revenues subject to refund totaled
     about $172 million at June  30, 1996.  Management believes postretirement
     benefits  costs are appropriately recoverable  in the Company's price cap
     filings.

     Property Tax Investigation

     In  1992, a settlement agreement  was reached between  the State Board of
     Equalization,  all California counties,  the State Attorney  General, and
     28 utilities,  including the  Company,  on  a  specific  methodology  for
     valuing utility property for  property tax purposes.  The CPUC  opened an
     investigation  to determine if any  resulting property tax savings should
     be returned  to customers.   Intervenors have  asserted that  as much  as
     $20 million  of annual  property  tax  savings should  be  treated as  an
     exogenous  cost  reduction in  the  Company's annual  price  cap filings.
     These  intervenors have  also  asserted that  past  property tax  savings
     totaling as  much as approximately $60 million as  of June 30, 1996, plus
     interest  should  be returned  to customers.   Management  believes that,
     under the CPUC's regulatory framework, any property tax savings should be
     treated only as a component of the calculation of shareable earnings.  In
     an Interim Opinion issued in June 1995, the CPUC decided to defer a final
     decision on this matter pending  resolution of the criteria for exogenous
     cost treatment  under its regulatory  framework.  The criteria  are being
     considered in a separate proceeding initiated for rehearing of the CPUC's
     postretirement benefits other than pensions decision discussed above.  It
     is possible that the CPUC  could decide this issue in the  near term, and
     that the decision could have a material adverse effect on the Company.









                                       7








                                    <PAGE>



                         PACIFIC BELL AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)


C.   SUBSEQUENT EVENT

     In  August  1996,  the  Company  issued $250  million  of  6.875  percent
     debentures due August 15, 2006.  The debentures may not be redeemed prior
     to maturity.  The proceeds  from the sale of the debentures will  be used
     to reduce  short-term debt incurred  to retire  the Company's  debentures
     totalling approximately $500 million in December 1995.











































                                       8








                                    <PAGE>


Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Except  for historical information contained herein,  this quarterly report on
Form 10-Q contains  certain forward-looking statements that  involve potential
risks and uncertainties.  Pacific  Bell's (the "Company") future results could
differ  materially from those discussed  herein.  Factors  that could cause or
contribute  to  such  differences  include,  but are  not  limited  to,  those
discussed herein and those discussed in "Management's Discussion and  Analysis
of Results of  Operations" included in  the Company's  December 31, 1995  Form
10-K.   Readers are  cautioned not to  place undue reliance  on these forward-
looking  statements  which speak  only as  of  the date  hereof.   The Company
undertakes no obligation to revise or update these  forward-looking statements
to  reflect events or  circumstances after the  date hereof or  to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussions  and data compare the  results of operations  of the
Company for  the six-month  period ended  June 30,  1996 to  the corresponding
period  in  1995.   Results  for the  first  six  months of  1996  may not  be
indicative of results for the full year.

A summary of selected operating data is shown below:

                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
                                                    ----------------------
                                                                       %  
Operating Statistics                                 1996     1995  Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on shareowner's equity (%)...............     36.8     15.7       -
Capital expenditures ($mil).....................    1,026      766    33.9
Total employees at June 30......................   46,604   49,419    -5.7
Telephone network employees at June 30*.........   43,876   46,802    -6.3
Telephone network employees per ten thousand
  access lines*.................................     27.6     30.8   -10.4
==========================================================================
*  Excludes Pacific Bell Directory and Pacific Bell Mobile Services employees.


















                                       9








                                    <PAGE>


Earnings
- --------

Fueled  by increases  in customer  access  line growth,  marketing efforts,  a
rebound in  the California economy  and continued cost containment,  offset by
costs  for this  year's new  business  initiatives, the  Company reported  net
income  of $594  million for  the  first six  months of  1996,  a 21.5 percent
increase over the  $489 million reported for the same period  last year.  (See
"Change In Estimates" under Note A on page 5.)

For  the  first  six  months  in  1995,  pressure  on  earnings  resulted from
incremental labor  expense associated  with the severe  storms in  early 1995.
These  earnings decreases  in  1995  were partially  offset  by the  Company's
ongoing cost-reduction efforts.

The California  Public  Utilities Commission  ("CPUC") authorized  facilities-
based   local  services  competition   effective  January  1996,   and  resale
competition effective March 1996.  As  of June 30, 1996, such competition  had
not  yet had a  significant effect on  the Company's earnings.   Management is
concerned, however, that  depending on the outcome  of certain open issues  in
the local  competition rules proceedings,  such competition could  deprive the
Company of the opportunity to earn a fair rate-of-return.

For a  discussion on a recent  FCC order that may affect  future earnings, see
"FCC Interconnection Order" and "FCC Proposal on  Wireless Interconnection" on
page 16.
                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,     
                                                    ----------------------
                                                                       %  
Volume Indicators                                    1996     1995  Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Switched access lines in service
 at June 30 (thousands)..........................  15,917   15,209     4.7
    Residence....................................   9,950    9,547     4.2
    Business.....................................   5,758    5,453     5.6
    Other........................................     209      209       -
    ISDN access lines (Included in above 
      access lines)..............................      77       34   126.5

Interexchange carrier access
  minutes-of-use (millions)...................... *31,345   28,476   *10.1
    Interstate................................... *16,883   15,736    *7.3
    Intrastate................................... *14,462   12,740   *13.5

Toll messages (millions).........................   2,542    2,363     7.6
  Toll minutes-of-use (millions).................   7,627    7,139     6.8

Voice mailbox equivalents at June 30 (thousands).   1,585    1,278    24.0
Custom calling services at June 30 (thousands)...   7,512    6,857     9.6
==========================================================================
* Preliminary




                                      10








                                    <PAGE>


The total  number  of access  lines  in service  grew  to 15.917  million,  an
increase of 4.7 percent for the twelve months ended June 30, 1996.  This is an
improvement over the 2.8 percent increase  for the same period last year.  The
residential  access line growth  rate increased to 4.2  percent for the twelve
months  ended  June  30,  1996,  from  2.1  percent last  year.    Changes  in
technology, telecommuting, Internet access and the Company's marketing efforts
continue to fuel  increased demand for additional telephone lines in the home.
Second access lines  in residences grew 13.9 percent from  1.685 million lines
to 1.919  million lines for the twelve months ended June 30, 1996.  The growth
rate in  business access  lines was 5.6  percent for  the twelve  months ended
June 30, 1996, up from 4.0 percent for the same period  last year.  The number
of ISDN lines in  service for the Company grew to 77  thousand, an increase of
126.5 percent  for  the  twelve  months  ended June  30,  1996,  as  customers
increased telecommuting  and demanded  faster data  transmission and  Internet
access.   Accelerated demand  for the  Company's high-speed  data transmission
continued  through  the  second  quarter  due  to  the  Company's  intensified
marketing efforts.

Access minutes-of-use represent the volume of traffic carried by interexchange
carriers over  the Company's local  network.  Total access  minutes-of-use for
the six  months ended  June 30, 1996  increased by  10.1 percent (preliminary)
over  the same period  last year.   The increase in  access minutes-of-use was
primarily attributable to economic growth.

Toll messages and  minutes-of-use are comprised of  Message Telecommunications
Service  and  Optional  Calling  Plans ("local  toll")  as  well  as  WATS and
terminating 800  services.   For  the six  months ended  June  30, 1996,  toll
minutes-of-use increased by 6.8 percent driven by economic growth.

High demand for  the Company's voice mail  products continued in 1996.   Voice
mailbox equivalents  in service increased  24.0 percent for the  twelve months
ended June 30,  1996 to 1.585 million.   Similarly, demand for  custom calling
services, such as call waiting, grew  9.6 percent for the twelve months  ended
June 30,  1996 due to  a rebound in  the California economy  and the Company's
focused customer retention efforts. 





















                                      11








                                    <PAGE>


Operating Revenues
- ------------------
                                                     For the 6 Months Ended
                                                             June 30,     
                                                     ----------------------
($ millions)                                         1996     1995   Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues .......................   $4,635   $4,398     $237
                                                                       5.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues for the first six months of  1996 increased from the same period last
year primarily  due to increased  customer demand for the  Company's telephone
services driven by marketing efforts and  a rebound in the California economy.
Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were offset by $60 million due
to  the Federal  Communications Commission  ("FCC")  price cap  order for  the
fiscal year ending  June 30, 1996.   For the 1996 annual  access tariff filing
effective July 1,  1996, see "FCC Annual  Access Tariff Filing  and Regulatory
Framework Review" on page 17.   The CPUC price cap order effective January  1,
1996,  had  a minimal  effect on  the Company's  revenues due  to an  order in
December  1995 suspending use of the  "inflation minus productivity" component
of the price cap formula for 1996 through 1998.  This action freezes the price
caps  on most  of the  Company's regulated  services  through 1998  except for
adjustments  due to  exogenous costs  or  price changes  approved through  the
CPUC's application process.

Factors affecting revenue changes are summarized in the following table.  
    
                                                                     Total
                                         Price                      Change
                                           Cap           Customer     From
                                        Orders    Misc.    Demand     1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local service........................     $  -      $17      $ 80     $ 97
Network access                                                   
  Interstate.........................      -60       59        47       46
  Intrastate.........................        -      -12        32       20
Toll service.........................        -      -27        51       24
Other service revenues...............        -       10        40       50
                                         -----    -----     -----     ----
Total operating revenues.............     $-60      $47      $250     $237
==========================================================================

The $80 million increase in customer demand  for local service revenues is the
result of the 4.7 percent growth in access lines and the 9.6 percent growth in
custom calling services. These  increases were generated by  a rebound in  the
California economy and  the Company's focused customer retention  efforts.  In
addition  for the second  quarter 1996, the Company  introduced a new feature,
"Call Return," on a "pay-per-use" basis in April 1996 that  generated revenues
of approximately $15 million for the quarter.






                                      12








                                    <PAGE>



The $47 million increase in interstate network access revenues due to customer
demand reflects increased interexchange carrier access minutes-of-use, as well
as increased access  lines.  The $32 million  customer demand-related increase
in  intrastate network  access revenues  also resulted  from growth  in access
minutes-of-use.

The $51 million increase  in toll service revenues due to  customer demand was
driven primarily by increased local toll usage resulting from general economic
growth.  The  customer demand-related increase in local  toll service revenues
was  partially  offset  by  competitive  losses  in  WATS  and  800  services.
Interexchange carriers currently have the competitive advantage of  being able
to offer WATS and 800 service both within and between service areas.

The  $40 million increase  in other  service revenues  due to  customer demand
reflects  the continuing  success of  the  Company's voice  mail products  and
directory  operations.   In addition,  primarily in  the second  quarter 1996,
customer   demand-related  revenues   increased   in  the   Company's  network
integration services. 


Operating Expenses
- ------------------
                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
                                                    ----------------------
($ millions)                                        1996     1995   Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses.......................   $3,452   $3,434      $18
                                                                      0.5%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The increase  in total operating  expenses for the  six months ended  June 30,
1996 compared to the same period in 1995 reflects costs for the Company's  new
business  initiatives.   Increased  expenses  were  partially offset  by  cost
reductions from  the Company's ongoing  efficiency efforts and savings  due to
changes  in employee  benefit plans  and  benefit plan  assumptions.   Primary
factors affecting expense changes are summarized below.

                                Salaries  Employee          Subsi-    Total
($ millions)                    & Wages*  Benefits*  Misc.  diaries  Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of products and services..     -$18       -$66    $ 2     -$ 5    -$87
Customer operations  
  and selling expenses.........        3        -36     26       66      59
General, administrative
  and other expenses...........        -          6     57        5      68
Property and other taxes.......        -          -    -10        -     -10
Depreciation and amortization..        -          -    -14        2     -12
                                    ----       ----   ----     ----    ----
Total operating expenses.......     -$15       -$96    $61      $68     $18
===========================================================================
*  Excludes Pacific Bell subsidiaries.



                                      13








                                    <PAGE>


Salary and wage expense at  the Company, excluding its subsidiaries, decreased
$15 million for the six-month period ended June 30,  1996 compared to the same
period in  1995, primarily due to  the continued force reduction  programs and
decreased overtime in first quarter  1996 due to milder weather when  compared
to 1995.  The effect of these decreases was partially offset by wage increases
associated with new labor agreements effective August 1995 and overtime due to
increased business volumes.

Employee   benefits  expense  at  the  Company,  excluding  its  subsidiaries,
decreased $96 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 1996 compared to
the same period in 1995 primarily due to changes in employee benefit plans and
a related  remeasurement of  benefit plan  expense.  The  changes in  employee
benefit plans  and benefit plan  assumptions will continue to  produce savings
throughout the year and  in future periods.  (See "Change  In Estimates" under
Note A on page 5.)

Excluding its  subsidiaries, the  Company's miscellaneous  customer operations
and selling expenses, and general, administrative and other expenses increased
for the six-month period ended June 30, 1996 compared to 1995 primarily due to
increased contract services and advertising associated with Caller ID.

Excluding its  subsidiaries, the  Company's miscellaneous  property and  other
taxes decreased for the six-month period ended  June 30, 1996 compared to 1995
primarily due to nonrecurring audit adjustments accrued in 1995.

Depreciation expense  at the  Company, excluding  its subsidiaries,  decreased
$14 million  for the  six-month period ended  June 30,  1996 compared  to 1995
primarily due  to the  elimination of the  amortization of  certain regulatory
assets associated with the discontinued application  of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No.  ("SFAS") 71, "Accounting for the  Effects of Certain
Types  of Regulation."   The effect of  this decrease was  partially offset by
higher telecommunications plant balances.

The  Company's subsidiaries total  operating expenses  increased for  the six-
month  period  ended  June 30,  1996  compared  to 1995  due  to  new business
initiatives, such  as Personal  Communications Services  ("PCS") and  Internet
access.

Interest Expense
- ----------------
                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
                                                    ----------------------
($ millions)                                        1996     1995   Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense................................    $182     $217    -$ 35
                                                                    -16.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest  expense decreased  for  the  six-month period  ended  June 30,  1996
compared  to 1995  primarily  due to  lower  interest rates  and  a change  in
classification  of interest capitalized  during construction  from an  item of
other  income  to a  reduction  in interest  expense due  to  the discontinued
application of SFAS 71.


                                      14








                                    <PAGE>


Other Income (Expense) - Net
- ----------------------------
                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,     
                                                    ----------------------
($ millions)                                        1996     1995   Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income (expense) - net ..................      $ 1     $ 28    -$ 27
                                                                    -96.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other income (expense) - net decreased for the six-month period ended June 30,
1996 compared  to 1995  primarily due  to interest  income received  on a  tax
refund  in first  quarter  1995 and  a change  in  classification of  interest
capitalized  during construction  from an  item of  miscellaneous income  to a
reduction of interest expense.

Income Taxes
- ------------
                                                    For the 6 Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
                                                    ----------------------
($ millions)                                        1996     1995   Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes......................................  $408     $286     $122
                                                                     42.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The increase in  income tax expense  for the six-month  period ended June  30,
1996 compared  to  1995 is  primarily due  to higher  pre-tax  income and  tax
adjustments.


Status of Reserves
- ------------------

As previously reported, the Company established a restructuring reserve at the
end of 1993 to provide for the  incremental cost of force reductions and other
related costs  to restructure its  internal business  processes through  1997.
After  new  hires,  net  force   reduction  for  the  Company,  excluding  its
subsidiaries,  was approximately  810 employees  for the  first six  months of
1996.   A total of $89 million  in cash outlays was charged  to the reserve in
the  first half  of  1996.   These  costs  were for  business  infrastructure,
information  system standards, service  delivery and facilities consolidation.
In 1995, the Company charged $219 million to the restructuring reserve for the
cost through 1997 of enhanced retirement benefits negotiated in the 1995 union
contracts.  Upon further study, the Company  has revised its estimate of these
retirement costs.   Consequently,  $64 million of  these 1995  noncash charges
were reversed in second quarter 1996.  There  was no effect on net income from
either the 1995 charge or  the 1996 change in estimate.  As of June 30, 1996 a
balance of $194 million remained in the restructuring reserve.





                                      15








                                    <PAGE>


Capital Expenditures
- --------------------

The Company invested $1,026 million  during the first half of 1996,  primarily
due to investments  in the  Pacific Bell  Mobile Services PCS  network and  to
modernize and expand the Company's core telecommunications network.


CREDIT RATINGS

In March  1996, Moody's Investors  Services, Inc. placed the  senior long-term
debt ratings of  the Company under review for possible downgrade.  The ratings
are still under review.  

In April 1996, reflecting the  announcement of the merger agreement with  SBC,
Standard & Poor's Corporation's credit  rating outlook remains negative.  (See
"Merger  Agreement"  under Note  B on  page  7.)   Also reflecting  the merger
agreement announcement, Duff  and Phelps, Inc. reaffirmed its  ratings of Duff
1+  and  Double-A-Minus   ("AA-")  on  the  Company's   commercial  paper  and
debentures, respectively.

MERGER AGREEMENT

On  April 1,  1996, SBC  and Pacific  Telesis, the  Company's  parent, jointly
announced a definitive agreement whereby Pacific Telesis will become a wholly-
owned subsidiary of  SBC. Under terms of  the merger agreement, each  share of
Pacific Telesis common  stock will be exchanged for 0.733 shares of SBC common
stock, subject to adjustment.  The transaction is intended to be accounted for
as a pooling  of interests and to be  a tax-free reorganization.   On July 31,
1996, the  shareowners of  Pacific Telesis and  SBC approved  the transaction,
which previously had  been approved by  the respective  Board of Directors  of
each company.   The merger  is subject  to certain  conditions and  regulatory
approvals, including  approval by the  CPUC, which has established  a schedule
for review  of the transaction with final comments from interested parties due
in December 1996.   If approvals are  granted, the transaction is  expected to
close in the first quarter of 1997.


PENDING REGULATORY ISSUES

FCC Interconnection Order
- -------------------------

In  August 1996,  the FCC  released a  decision (the  "Interconnection Order")
which, among other  things, will affect revenues collected  for carrier access
used by  interexchange carriers  ("IECs") and  for unbundled  network elements
used  by  competitive  local  carriers  ("CLCs").    Management  is  currently
reviewing this decision to assess the impact it will have on the Company.








                                      16








                                    <PAGE>


FCC Proposal on Wireless Interconnection
- ----------------------------------------

In January 1996, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which the
FCC proposed to change the arrangement under which the Company and other local
exchange  carriers ("LECs")  are  compensated  for  interconnecting  with  and
terminating traffic  for Commercial  Mobile Radio  Service ("CMRS")  providers
(including cellular and PCS providers).  The Interconnection Order  superseded
this Notice of  Proposed Rulemaking and will  result in the Company  providing
interconnection  at lower  prices  than those  now in  effect.   Management is
currently reviewing this  decision to assess  the impact it  will have on  the
Company.


FCC Annual Access Tariff Filing and Regulatory Framework Review
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

The Company  filed its 1996 annual access  tariff with the FCC  for the fiscal
year  effective  July  1,  1996.   The  proposed  revenue  increase  of  about
$24 million is still under review by the FCC.

The FCC adopted  new interim price cap  rules in 1995  that govern the  prices
that the larger LECs,  including the Company, charge IECs for  access to local
telephone  networks.   The  interim rules  require  the LECs  to  adjust their
maximum prices for changes in inflation, productivity and certain costs beyond
the control of the LEC.   Under the interim plan,  LECs may choose from  three
productivity  factors:  4.0, 4.7 or 5.3  percent.  Election of the 5.3 percent
productivity factor permits the LEC to retain all of its earnings  whereas the
other lower productivity factors require earnings to be shared with customers.
As in 1995, the Company again  chose the 5.3 percent productivity factor  that
will enable  it to retain  all of  its earnings effective  July 1, 1996.   The
higher productivity factor was chosen because management believes that it will
be more than  offset by elimination of the sharing mechanism.  Permanent price
cap  rules  are scheduled  for  September  1996  but  may be  delayed  due  to
implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  

Management continues  to  believe that  the FCC  should adopt  pure price  cap
regulation and eliminate the productivity factor, sharing and earnings cap.


CPUC Proposal on Universal Service
- ----------------------------------

In August 1996, a CPUC Administrative Law  Judge issued a proposed decision on
universal  phone  service  rules  in  California.    Management  is  currently
reviewing this  proposal to  assess the impact  it will  have on  the Company.
However, management is concerned that  the proposal underestimates the cost of
providing  universal service.   A  final decision  is scheduled  for September
1996.







                                      17








                                    <PAGE>

 
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.   Exhibits 

    (a)   Exhibits.

          Exhibits identified as on file  with the SEC are incorporated herein
          by reference as exhibits hereto.

Exhibit
Number                            Description
- -------                           -----------

   4      No  instrument which  defines the  rights  of holders  of long-  and
          intermediate-term debt of Pacific Bell is filed herewith pursuant to
          Regulation  S-K,   Item   601(b)(4)(iii)(A).     Pursuant  to   this
          regulation, Pacific Bell hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such
          instrument to the SEC upon request.

    15    Letter re unaudited interim financial information.

    27    Article 5 FDS for 2nd Quarter 1996 Form 10-Q.


The Company  will furnish  to a  security holder  upon request  a copy  of any
exhibit at cost.






























                                      18








                                    <PAGE>


FORM 10-Q





                                   SIGNATURE
                                   ---------

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities Exchange  Act of  1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused this  report to  be signed on  its behalf  by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





                               Pacific Bell



                               By: /s/Peter A. Darbee
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                   Peter A. Darbee
                                   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                   and Controller



Date:  August 12, 1996


























                                      19








                                    <PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibits  identified  as on  file  with the  SEC  are  incorporated herein  by
reference as exhibits  hereto.  All other exhibits are provided as part of the
electronic transmission.

Exhibit
Number                                  Description
- -------                                 -----------

   4      No  instrument which  defines the  rights  of holders  of long-  and
          intermediate-term debt of Pacific Bell is filed herewith pursuant to
          Regulation   S-K,  Item   601(b)(4)(iii)(A).     Pursuant   to  this
          regulation, Pacific Bell hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such
          instrument to the SEC upon request.

   15     Letter re unaudited interim financial information.

   27     Article 5 FDS for 2nd Quarter 1996 Form 10-Q.



































                                      20







































































                                    <PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 15
                                                                    ----------

COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. 


                                                               August 12, 1996



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549



Ladies and Gentlemen:

             Re:  Pacific Bell Registration Statement on Form S-3
             ----------------------------------------------------

We are  aware that  our report  dated August  12, 1996  on our  review of  the
interim financial  information of Pacific  Bell and Subsidiaries for  the six-
month period ended June 30, 1996 included in this Form 10-Q is incorporated by
reference in the Company's registration statement as follows:

            Form S-3:  Pacific Bell $1.575 Billion Debt Securities
            ------------------------------------------------------

Pursuant to Rule 436(c)  under the Securities Act of 1933,  this report should
not be considered  a part of the registration statement  prepared or certified
by us within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.


                    Very truly yours,




                    /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.



























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