UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

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

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

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

                          Commission File Number 0-556

                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                 California                                 68-0365195
----------------------------------------            -------------------------
        (State or Other Jurisdiction                     (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation or Organization)                 Identification No.)

200 Vernon Street, Roseville, California                       95678
----------------------------------------            --------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (916) 786-6141
                                                           --------------


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
                                        -

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                                    Yes X No
                                        -

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of April 30, 2004,  14,575,167  shares of the registrant's  Common Stock were
outstanding.




<PAGE>





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S>             <C>                                                                                               <C>

Item 1.       Financial Statements..............................................................................    3

Item 2.       Management's Discussion And Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.............   13

Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........................................   30

Item 4.       Controls And Procedures...........................................................................   31

 PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings.................................................................................   34

Item 6.       Exhibits And Reports On Form 8-K..................................................................   36

SIGNATURES    ..................................................................................................   40

CERTIFICATIONS..................................................................................................   41
</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
                (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                                  2004             2003
                                                                               _________         _________
<S>                                                                                 <C>               <C>
   Operating revenues:
      Local service                                                            $  17,134         $  14,996
      Network access service                                                      11,610            13,417
      Directory advertising                                                        4,101             3,838
      Long distance service                                                        1,217             1,253
      Wireless service                                                             7,420             6,503
      Internet service                                                             4,152             3,714
      Residential broadband service                                                3,553             1,813
      Business broadband service                                                   1,270               750
      Other                                                                        1,131             1,091
                                                                               ---------         ---------
        Total operating revenues                                                  51,588            47,375

   Operating expenses:
     Cost of services and products                                                18,611            15,984
     Customer operations and selling                                               8,638             8,368
     General and administrative                                                   11,287             8,731
     Depreciation and amortization                                                11,294            12,387
                                                                               ---------         ---------
        Total operating expenses                                                  49,830            45,470
                                                                               ---------         ---------
   Income from operations                                                          1,758             1,905

   Other income (expense):
     Interest income                                                                  59                83
     Interest expense                                                             (1,085)             (832)
     Other, net                                                                      (71)              (27)
                                                                               ---------         ---------
        Total other expense, net                                                  (1,097)             (776)
                                                                               ---------         ---------
   Income before income taxes                                                        661             1,129

   Income taxes                                                                      280               454
                                                                               ---------         ---------
   Net income                                                                  $     381         $     675
                                                                               =========         =========
   Basic and diluted earnings per share (1)                                    $    0.03         $    0.05
                                                                               =========         =========
   Cash dividends per share (2)                                                $    0.25         $    0.25
                                                                               =========         =========

   Shares of common stock used to calculate earnings per share:
      Basic                                                                       14,526            14,521
                                                                               =========         =========
      Diluted                                                                     14,577            14,530
                                                                               =========         =========
</TABLE>


(1)  Shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share are based on the
     weighted average number of common shares  outstanding,  excluding  unvested
     restricted  common  shares.  Shares  used  in the  computation  of  diluted
     earnings per share are based on the weighted  average  number of common and
     other potentially dilutive securities outstanding in each period.

(2)  Cash  dividends per share are based on the actual  dividends per share,  as
     declared by the Company's Board of Directors.

                             See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>



                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                March 31,           December 31,
                                                                                  2004                  2003
                                                                               __________            ____________
<S>                                                                                     <C>                      <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $  34,869           $    39,008
   Short-term investments                                                          2,699                 2,699
   Accounts receivable, net                                                       19,437                18,846
   Deferred income tax asset                                                         209                   209
   Inventories                                                                     5,804                 5,537
   Deferred directory costs                                                        4,741                 5,320
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                       2,966                 3,440
                                                                               ---------           -----------
Total current assets                                                              70,725                75,059

Property, plant and equipment, net                                               347,335               342,967

Intangible and other assets:
   Wireless spectrum licenses, net                                                13,566                13,566
   Goodwill                                                                        2,171                 2,171
   Intangible asset relating to pension plans                                        125                   125
   Intangible asset relating to favorable operating leases, net                      613                   649
   Deferred charges and other assets                                                 658                   672
                                                                               ---------           -----------
                                                                                  17,133                17,183
                                                                               ---------           -----------
                                                                               $ 435,193           $   435,209
                                                                               =========           ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Current portion of long-term debt                                           $   3,779           $     3,779
   Current portion of capital lease obligations                                      347                   347
   Accounts payable                                                                2,913                 2,206
   Other accrued liabilities                                                      15,847                14,727
   Estimated shareable earnings obligations                                       12,712                13,389
   Advance billings and deferred revenues                                         10,693                 9,882
   Accrued income taxes                                                            1,142                 1,908
   Accrued compensation                                                            6,013                 4,860
                                                                               ---------           -----------
Total current liabilities                                                         53,446                51,098

Long-term debt                                                                    92,834                92,870
Long-term capital lease obligations                                                  179                   265
Deferred income taxes                                                             26,732                25,946
Other liabilities and deferred revenues                                            7,458                 7,502
Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
   Common stock, without par value; 200,000 shares authorized,
     14,580 and 14,578 shares issued and outstanding at
     March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively                          160,968               160,911
   Deferred stock-based compensation                                              (1,197)               (1,419)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                             (261)                 (261)
   Retained earnings                                                              95,034                98,297
                                                                               ---------           -----------
Total shareholders' equity                                                       254,544               257,528
                                                                               ---------           -----------
                                                                               $ 435,193           $   435,209
                                                                               =========           ===========
</TABLE>



                             See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>



                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                                                 March 31,
                                                                                           2004              2003
                                                                                         _________         _________
        <S>                                                                                 <C>              <C>
    Net cash provided by operating activities                                            $  15,636         $  20,979

    Cash flows from investing activities:
       Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment, including network
         parts inventory                                                                   (15,978)          (11,943)
       Purchases of held-to-maturity investments                                                 -            (5,976)
       Changes in deferred charges and other assets                                            (31)              (31)
                                                                                         ---------         ---------
         Net cash used in investing activities                                             (16,009)          (17,950)

     Cash flows from financing activities:
       Repayment of short-term borrowings                                                        -           (15,000)
       Proceeds from long-term debt                                                              -            60,000
       Principal payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations                     (122)             (606)
       Debt issuance costs                                                                       -              (367)
       Dividends paid                                                                       (3,644)           (3,634)
                                                                                         ---------         ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                (3,766)           40,393
                                                                                         ---------         ---------
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                        (4,139)           43,422

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                        39,008            20,385
                                                                                         ---------         ---------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                           $  34,869         $  63,807
                                                                                         =========         =========

</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes.



<PAGE>




                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
           (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated financial statements of SureWest  Communications (the
"Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for interim financial  information and pursuant to
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
In the  opinion  of  management,  all  adjustments  (consisting  only of  normal
recurring  adjustments)  considered  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the
results for the interim  periods shown have been included.  Certain  information
and  footnote  disclosures  normally  included  in annual  financial  statements
prepared in accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted in the
United  States  have been  condensed  or omitted  pursuant to such SEC rules and
regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. Management
believes  that the  disclosures  made  are  adequate  to make  the  informatihon
presented not misleading.  These  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements
should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and
notes thereto  included in the  Company's  2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the SEC.

The Company is a holding  company with  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  that provide
integrated  communications  services  in  Northern  California.   The  Company's
principal  operating   subsidiary  is  SureWest  Telephone  (formerly  known  as
Roseville  Telephone  Company).  SureWest  Directories,  SureWest  Long Distance
(formerly  known  as  Roseville  Long  Distance  Company),  SureWest  Broadband,
SureWest  Wireless  and  SureWest  Televideo  ("SureWest   Broadband/Residential
Services") are each  subsidiaries  of the Company.  The Company expects that the
sources  of its  revenues  and its cost  structure  may be  different  in future
periods,  both as a result  of its entry  into new  communications  markets  and
competitive forces in each of the markets in which the Company has operations.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company has two stock-based  compensation plans.  Effective January 1, 2003,
the Company  adopted  the fair value  recognition  provisions  of  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."  Under the prospective method of adoption selected by the Company
under the provisions of SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -
Transition and  Disclosure,"  the fair value method of accounting was applied to
all employee  awards  granted,  modified,  or settled after January 1, 2003. The
adoption of the fair value recognition  provisions' of SFAS No. 123 did not have
a material effect on the Company's condensed  consolidated  financial statements
for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. Stock-based  compensation  associated with
employee stock options is recognized  over the vesting periods (which range from
1 to 5 years) using the graded vesting method.

The fair value of the Company's employee stock options was estimated at the date
of grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  with  the  following
weighted-average assumptions for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                          2004                2003
                                          ____                ____
           Risk-free Interest Rate           -                2.11%
           Expected Dividend Yield           -                2.50%
           Expected Volatility               -               41.22%
           Expected Lives                    -               4.0 years


The Black-Scholes option pricing model includes  assumptions  regarding dividend
yields, expected volatility,  expected lives and risk-free interest rates. These
assumptions  reflect  management's  best  estimates,  but  these  items  involve
inherent  uncertainties  based on market  conditions  generally  outside  of the
control of the Company.  As a result,  if other assumptions had been used in the
current period, actual and pro forma stock-based compensation expense could have
been materially  different.  If management uses different  assumptions in future
periods, stock-based compensation expense could be materially impacted in future
periods.


<PAGE>



                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

The  expense  related  to  stock-based  employee  compensation  included  in the
determination  of net income is less than that which would have been  recognized
if the fair value  method  had been  applied  to all  awards  granted  after the
original effective date of SFAS No. 123. If the Company had elected to adopt the
fair value recognition  provisions of SFAS No. 123 as of its original  effective
date, pro forma net income and earnings per share would be as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                2004              2003

                                                           ----------------  ---------------
<S>                                                             <C>                 <C>
Net income, as reported                                      $      381       $      675

Add:  Stock-based employee compensation expense included
   in reported net income, net of related tax effects               161               41

Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation expense
   determined using the fair value method for all
   awards, net of related tax effects                              (465)            (399)
                                                           ----------------  ---------------
                                                             $       77       $      317
Pro forma net income                                       ================  ===============

Earnings per share:

   Basic--as reported                                        $     0.03       $     0.05
   Basic--pro forma                                          $     0.01       $     0.02

   Diluted--as reported                                      $     0.03       $     0.05
   Diluted--pro forma                                        $     0.01       $     0.02
</TABLE>

There were no options  granted to employees  during the quarter  ended March 31,
2004. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted to employees
was $8.43 per share during the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Significant  components  of the  Company's  comprehensive  income  (loss) are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                 2004             2003
                                                           ----------------  ---------------
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>
 Net income                                                  $     381         $     675
 Minimum pension and post-retirement benefit liability
   adjustment, net of income taxes                                   -                 -
                                                           ----------------  ---------------
 Other comprehensive income                                  $     381         $     675
                                                           ================  ===============
</TABLE>

As of March 31, 2004 and 2003, the accumulated other comprehensive loss was $261
and $1,637, respectively, which consisted of minimum pension and post-retirement
benefit liability adjustments, net of income taxes.

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

The Company  adopted SEC Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  ("SAB") No. 101,  "Revenue
Recognition in Financial  Statements," effective January 1, 2000, which requires
non-recurring  revenues  associated  with service and  activation  charges to be
deferred.  The  cumulative  effect of this change in  accounting  principle  was
$3,273,  net of tax, ($0.21 per share) in 2000.  Activation  revenue  previously
deferred in connection  with the cumulative  effect  adjustment as of January 1,
2000 recognized for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $56 and $128,
respectively.  The net effect of these  revenues  was to increase net income for
the  quarters  ended March 31,  2004 and 2003 by $32 (no effect on earnings  per
share) and $75 ($0.01 per share), respectively.



<PAGE>
                            SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


Adjustments and Reclassifications

During the Company's  financial  statement closing process for the quarter ended
December 31, 2003,  certain matters were  identified  related to prior financial
reporting  periods  that  necessitated  the  recording  of  adjustments  to  the
Company's  condensed   consolidated   financial  statements.   Such  adjustments
pertained principally to property,  plant and equipment, and management believes
that  weaknesses  in the  Company's  internal  controls  caused the errors  that
resulted  in  these  adjustments.  The  Company  does  not  believe  any  of the
aforementioned  amounts are material,  individually or in the aggregate,  to the
respective  prior interim  periods based on both  quantitative  and  qualitative
factors,  including  the trend of operating  results.  Accordingly,  the Company
prospectively  corrected these errors during the fourth quarter of 2003. Certain
of the  aforementioned  amounts relating to prior periods would have reduced the
Company's first quarter 2003 condensed consolidated net income by $233, or $0.02
per basic and diluted  share,  had such errors been  corrected  in the period in
which they originated.

Certain  amounts  in  the  Company's  2003  condensed   consolidated   financial
statements  have  been  reclassified  to  conform  to  the  presentation  of the
Company's 2004 condensed consolidated financial statements.

2.   CORPORATE TREASURY INVESTIGATION

In December 2003, the Company discovered certain irregular bank transactions and
deposits in a routine  investigation  following  the abrupt  resignation  of the
Company's Treasury Analyst.  Immediately  following the Company's initial review
that  uncovered  suspect  transfers,  the  Company  broadened  its review of the
investment  and cash  operations,  and a  special  corporate  investigation  was
launched by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which engaged outside
counsel and forensic  auditors.  The  investigations  revealed concealed illegal
transfers in violation of the Company's investment and cash management policies.
The Company believes that the  irregularities  were limited to the 2003 calendar
year. The investigation  suggests that as much as $25,000 may have been involved
in the scheme. Nearly all of the funds have been recovered; however, at present,
approximately  $1,828 remains  outstanding  and was reflected as a non-operating
loss in the Company's 2003 consolidated  financial  statements.  The Company has
filed an insurance  claim to recover the missing  funds.  In January  2004,  the
Federal Bureau of Investigation  ("FBI") launched its own probe into the illegal
funds transfer.  On February 5, 2004, the FBI made three arrests,  including the
Company's  former  Treasury  Analyst,  on charges of mail fraud,  conspiracy and
money  laundering.  The Company has been advised that one of the individuals has
entered a plea of  guilty.  The  Company  has filed a civil  lawsuit  seeking to
recover the  misappropriated  funds and other costs from five  individuals and a
private company  allegedly  associated  with the fraudulent  scheme to illegally
transfer the Company's funds to outside accounts.  Should the insurance claim be
perfected or the civil lawsuit successful, the Company will recognize a recovery
of the funds at that time.

3.   CHANGE IN ESTIMATE

The  Company  recently  revised its  long-term  network  operating  plan for its
Telecommunications  ("Telecom")  and  Wireless  segments  as  a  result  of  the
successful  adoption  of certain  new  technologies  that  enable the Company to
maximize  the return on  existing  network  facilities  and migrate to other new
technologies at the point in time in which the benefit to do so exceeds the cost
of  conversion.  As a result of this change in  strategic  direction,  which was
formally  approved by the  Company's  Board of Directors in December  2003,  the
Company has  examined  the  appropriateness  of its  estimated  useful  lives of
certain property, plant and equipment at both the Telecom and Wireless segments.

As a result,  effective  January 1, 2004,  the Company  increased  the estimated
useful lives of Telecom's digital switching,  circuit and cable equipment by one
to three years and Wireless' base stations,  towers and network  software by one
to eight years. The Company also decreased the estimated useful lives of certain
other Telecom assets, including certain other switching and voicemail equipment.
This change in estimate  resulted  in a decrease  to  consolidated  depreciation
expense of $3,277 and an increase to  consolidated  net income of $1,887  ($0.13
per share)  during the quarter  ended March 31, 2004.  This change in accounting
estimate resulted in a decrease of Telecom  depreciation expense and an increase
in net income by approximately $1,969 and $1,134, respectively,  for the quarter
ended March 31, 2004. In addition,  Wireless  depreciation  expense and net loss
decreased by approximately $1,308 and $753, respectively,  for the quarter ended
March 31, 2004.


<PAGE>

                            SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

4.   BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has three  reportable  business  segments:  Telecom,  Broadband  and
Wireless. The Telecom segment includes SureWest Telephone,  SureWest Directories
and SureWest Long Distance, which provide landline telecommunications  services,
directory  advertising,  digital subscriber line ("DSL") service,  long distance
services and certain non-regulated  services.  SureWest Telephone,  which is the
principal operating  subsidiary of the Telecom segment,  provides local and toll
telephone services,  network access services and certain non-regulated services.
SureWest Directories  publishes and distributes SureWest Telephone's  directory,
including the sale of yellow pages  advertising.  SureWest  Directories  is also
engaged in the business of producing, publishing and distributing directories in
other Northern California  communities  outside of SureWest  Telephone's service
area. SureWest Long Distance a reseller of long distance services.

The Broadband  segment  provides  various  services,  including  high-speed  and
dial-up  Internet,  digital video,  local,  network  access,  toll telephone and
managed  services in the  greater  Sacramento  area,  principally  to  customers
residing  outside of SureWest  Telephone's  service  area.  The  Company  offers
high-speed Internet,  digital video and local and long distance phone service as
a bundled  package  referred  to as  fiber-to-the-premise  ("FTTP")  (previously
referred to as "Triple  Play").  The  Broadband  segment  includes the Company's
subsidiaries  SureWest  Broadband and SureWest  Broadband/Residential  Services.
SureWest  Broadband is comprised,  in part, of a division of SureWest  Telephone
operating as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier.

The Wireless segment  consists of the Company's  subsidiary  SureWest  Wireless,
which provides wireless services. SureWest Wireless derives its revenue from the
provision   of  wireless   voice   services,   sales  of  handsets  and  related
communication equipment, long distance,  handset insurance,  roaming service and
custom  calling  features.  Wireless  services are provided on a  month-to-month
basis and are generally  billed in advance for  non-contract  subscribers and in
arrears for contract subscribers.

Corporate Operations are allocated to the appropriate segments, except for cash,
investments,  certain  property,  plant, and equipment and  miscellaneous  other
assets. However, the investment income associated with cash and investments held
by  Corporate  Operations  is included in the results of the  operations  of the
Company's segments.  The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based
on income (loss) from operations.



<PAGE>
                            SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


These segments are strategic  business units that offer  different  products and
services.  The  Company  accounts  for  intersegment  revenues  and  expenses at
prevailing  market  rates.  The Company's  business  segment  information  is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Corporate     Intercompany
                                         Telecom       Broadband       Wireless      Operations    Eliminations   Consolidated
                                       _________      __________     __________     ___________   _____________   ____________
<S>                                        <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>
As of and for the three months
  ended March 31, 2004:
Operating revenues from external
   customers                           $    35,193    $     8,975    $     7,420    $        -    $          -    $    51,588
Intersegment revenues                        6,216            452            311             -          (6,979)             -
Operating expenses                          22,817         13,934          8,764             -          (6,979)        38,536
Depreciation and amortization                6,179          2,018          3,097             -               -         11,294
Income (loss) from operations               12,413         (6,525)        (4,130)            -               -          1,758
Net income (loss)                            7,271         (4,191)        (2,699)            -               -            381
Total assets                           $   580,764    $   122,048    $    82,829    $    85,060   $   (435,508)   $   435,193

As of and for the three months
  ended March 31, 2003:
Operating revenues from external
   customers                           $    34,595    $     6,277    $     6,503    $         -    $         -    $    47,375
Intersegment revenues                        5,523            528            156              -         (6,207)             -
Operating expenses                          21,475         10,101          7,714              -         (6,207)        33,083
Depreciation and amortization                7,759            849          3,779              -              -         12,387
Income (loss) from operations               10,884         (4,145)        (4,834)             -              -          1,905
Net income (loss)                            6,369         (2,594)        (3,100)             -              -            675
Total assets                           $   544,281    $    57,303    $    93,956    $    66,157   $   (313,494)   $   448,203
</TABLE>


5.   ESTIMATED SHAREABLE EARNINGS OBLIGATIONS

Certain  of the  Company's  rates  are  subject  to  regulation  by the  Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") and the California Public Utilities Commission
("CPUC").  Pending and future  regulatory  actions may have a material impact on
the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Revenues  from certain  telephone  services are affected by rates  authorized by
various regulatory agencies.  Intrastate service rates are subject to regulation
by the CPUC.  With respect to toll calls  initiated by  interexchange  carriers'
customers,  the  interexchange  carriers are assessed  access  charges  based on
tariffs  filed by SureWest  Telephone.  Interstate  access  rates and  resulting
earnings  are  subject to  regulation  by the FCC.  With  respect to  interstate
services,  SureWest  Telephone  has  filed its own  tariff  with the FCC for all
elements  of access  services  except  carrier  common line  charges,  for which
SureWest  Telephone  concurs with tariffs filed by the National Exchange Carrier
Association ("NECA").

The FCC monitors  SureWest  Telephone's  interstate  earnings through the use of
annual cost separation  studies  prepared by SureWest  Telephone,  which utilize
estimated cost information and projected demand usage. The FCC establishes rules
that  carriers  must  follow  in  the   preparation   of  the  annual   studies.
Additionally,  under current FCC rules governing rate making, SureWest Telephone
is required to establish  interstate  rates based on projected  demand usage for
its various  services and  determine  the actual  earnings from these rates once
actual volumes and costs are known.

During  the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004,  SureWest  Telephone  changed  its
estimates for a portion of its  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings
obligations as a result of periodic cost separation studies.  For the monitoring
periods  prior to 2004,  these  changes in  accounting  estimates  increased the
Company's  consolidated  revenues  by $539 and net  income  by $310  ($0.02  per
share).
<PAGE>
                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


During  the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2003,  SureWest  Telephone  changed  its
estimates for a portion of its  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings
obligations  and certain NECA Carrier  Common Line ("CCL")  accounts  receivable
balances as a result of periodic cost  separation  studies.  For the  monitoring
periods  prior to 2003,  these  changes in  accounting  estimates  decreased the
Company's  consolidated  revenues  by $277 and net  income  by $166  ($0.01  per
share).

During the year ended  December 31, 2001,  SureWest  Telephone  made payments to
certain  telecommunications  companies  aggregating $6,800 related to interstate
shareable earnings  obligations for the monitoring period 1999-2000.  No similar
payments were made during the quarters ended March 31, 2004 or 2003. On June 26,
2003, the Company  entered into a Final  Settlement  Agreement (the  "Settlement
Agreement") to recover $1,950 of the amount paid to a telecommunications company
in  2001.   Therefore,   the  Company   recognized   a   receivable   from  this
telecommunications company in the amount of $1,950 as of June 30, 2003 through a
credit to network  access  service  revenues for the three months ended June 30,
2003. The Company  received the funds  pursuant to the  Settlement  Agreement on
July 8, 2003.  The Company is  currently  seeking a similar  refund from another
telecommunications  company.  However, the recoverability of the remaining funds
cannot presently be determined because the bankruptcy proceeding relating to the
telecommunications  company  from which the  Company is seeking a refund has not
been completed.

Beginning in January 2002,  SureWest  Telephone began paying a consumer dividend
for  intrastate  overearnings  relating to the years 1998 and 1999. A portion of
the  consumer's  intrastate  service  charges  was  returned  in the  form  of a
surcredit  beginning  in  January  2002 and  ending in  January  2003,  totaling
approximately $4,605 (of which $294 was returned during January 2003).

Beginning in November 2003,  SureWest Telephone began paying a consumer dividend
for  intrastate  overearnings  relating  to the  year  2002.  A  portion  of the
consumer's  intrastate service charges was returned to the consumers in the form
of a surcredit  beginning in November 2003 and ending in February 2004, totaling
$483 (of which $208 was returned during the first quarter of 2004).

As of March  31,  2004,  the  Company's  condensed  consolidated  balance  sheet
reflected  aggregate  liabilities  of $12,712  relating to SureWest  Telephone's
estimated  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings   obligations.   The
calculations supporting these liabilities are very complex and involve a variety
of estimates prior to the ultimate settlement of such obligations.  In addition,
SureWest  Telephone's  interstate shareable earnings obligations lapse over time
if SureWest Telephone's  interexchange  carrier and other customers do not claim
the amounts  ascribed  to them.  Accordingly,  it is  reasonably  possible  that
management's   estimates  of  the  Company's   liabilities  for  interstate  and
intrastate shareable earnings obligations could change in the near term, and the
amounts involved could be material.

6.   PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Net periodic pension cost recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of
income for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 under the defined  benefit
pension plan ("Pension Plan"),  Supplemental  Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP")
and  post-retirement  benefits  other  than  pensions  ("Other  Benefits")  plan
included the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Pension Plan & SERP                       Other Benefits
                                               ____________________________           __________________________

     Quarter Ended March 31,                        2004             2003             2004             2003
                                               ____________________________           __________________________
        <S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>

     Service cost-benefits earned during
        the period                             $     1,340    $       1,262    $         109    $          88
     Interest cost on projected benefit
        obligation                                   1,774            1,791               88               81
     Expected return on plan assets                 (2,008)          (1,588)             (44)             (27)
     Amortization of prior service cost                 86              277               10                7
     Recognized net actuarial loss                     120               70                -                -
                                               _____________  _____________     ______________  _______________
     Net pension cost                          $     1,312    $       1,812    $         163    $         149
                                               =============  =============    ==============   ===============

</TABLE>



<PAGE>
                             SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


Employer Contributions

The Company expects to contribute  $5,500 and $460 to the Pension Plan and Other
Benefits  plan,  respectively,  in 2004. As of March 31, 2004, no  contributions
have been made to the Pension Plan and Other Benefits plan.

7.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has entered into various cable television  franchise agreements with
associated  letters of credit  totaling  $150 in the  aggregate  as of March 31,
2004.

The  Company  is  subject  to  certain  legal  and  regulatory  proceedings  and
examinations, Internal Revenue Service examinations and other tax exposures, and
other claims arising in the ordinary  course of its business.  In the opinion of
management, the ultimate outcome of these matters will not materially affect the
consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.



<PAGE>




PART I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS.

 (Amounts in thousands, except selected operating metrics and per share amounts)

Certain  information  included in the Company's  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q,
including  that  which  relates  to the  impact on future  revenue  sources  and
potential sharing obligations of pending and future regulatory orders, continued
expansion of the telecommunications  network and expected changes in the sources
of the Company's revenue and its cost structure resulting from its entrance into
new communications markets, are forward looking statements and are made pursuant
to the safe harbor  provisions of the Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward  looking  statements are subject to a number of risks,  assumptions
and  uncertainties  that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from
those projected in such forward looking statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those set forth
in the forward looking statements  include,  but are not limited to: advances in
telecommunications  technology,  changes  in the  telecommunications  regulatory
environment,  changes in the  financial  stability  of other  telecommunications
providers who are customers of the Company, changes in competition in markets in
which the  Company  operates,  adverse  circumstances  affecting  the economy in
California in general,  and in the Sacramento,  California  Metropolitan area in
particular,  the  availability  of future  financing,  changes in the demand for
services and products,  new product and service  development and  introductions,
pending and future  litigation,  internal control  weaknesses and  unanticipated
changes  in the  growth of the  Company's  emerging  businesses,  including  the
wireless,  Internet,  digital  video  and  Competitive  Local  Exchange  Carrier
operating entities.

                               Corporate Structure

SureWest  Communications  (the "Company") is a holding company with wholly-owned
subsidiaries  operating in the  Telecommunications  ("Telecom"),  Broadband  and
Wireless segments.

The Telecom segment  includes  SureWest  Telephone  (formerly known as Roseville
Telephone Company),  SureWest Directories,  and SureWest Long Distance (formerly
known  as   Roseville   Long   Distance   Company),   which   provide   landline
telecommunications  services,  directory  advertising,  Digital  Subscriber Line
("DSL")  service,  long distance  services and certain  non-regulated  services.
SureWest Telephone,  which is the principal operating  subsidiary of the Telecom
segment, provides local and toll telephone services, network access services and
certain non-regulated  services.  SureWest Directories publishes and distributes
SureWest Telephone's directory,  including the sale of yellow pages advertising.
SureWest  Directories  is also engaged in the business of producing,  publishing
and distributing directories in other Northern California communities outside of
SureWest  Telephone's service area. SureWest Long Distance is a reseller of long
distance services.

The Broadband segment includes the Company's subsidiaries SureWest Broadband and
SureWest  Broadband/Residential  Services.  SureWest Broadband is comprised,  in
part,  of a division of SureWest  Telephone  operating  as a  Competitive  Local
Exchange  Carrier.  The Broadband  segment provides various services  including:
high-speed and dial-up Internet,  digital video, local and network access,  toll
telephone and managed services in the greater  Sacramento  area,  principally to
customers  residing  outside of SureWest  Telephone's  service area. The Company
offers  high-speed  Internet,  digital video and local and long  distance  phone
service  as a  bundled  package  referred  to as  fiber-to-the-premise  ("FTTP")
(previously   referred  to  as  "Triple  Play").  In  December  2003,   SureWest
Broadband/Residential   Services  began  offering   digital  video  services  to
customers inside SureWest Telephone's service area.

The Wireless segment  consists of the Company's  subsidiary  SureWest  Wireless,
which provides wireless services. SureWest Wireless derives its revenue from the
provision   of  wireless   voice   services,   sales  of  handsets  and  related
communication equipment, long distance,  handset insurance,  roaming service and
custom  calling  features.  Wireless  services are provided on a  month-to-month
basis and are generally  billed in advance for  non-contract  subscribers and in
arrears for contract subscribers.

The Company  expects that the sources of its revenues and its cost structure may
be  different  in  future  periods,  both as a  result  of its  entry  into  new
communications  markets and  competitive  forces in each of the markets in which
the Company has operations.

               Treasury Investigation and Internal Control Matters

In January 2004, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors launched a formal
investigation   and   retained   independent   legal   counsel  to  conduct  the
investigation  with the assistance of forensic  accountants.  The  investigation
resulted from a preliminary  investigation by Company  management,  triggered by
the  abrupt  resignation  in  December  2003  of an  employee  in the  Company's
Corporate Finance Department.  The investigation indicated irregularities by the
former employee in the Company's cash management and investment  functions,  and
violations of the Company's investment policies. At the time of the commencement
of the  special  investigation,  approximately  $2,000  of  Company  funds  were
outstanding without proper documentation, and such funds remain outstanding, and
were  reflected  as a  non-operating  loss in the  Company's  2003  consolidated
financial statements.

The independent legal counsel,  with the assistance of the forensic accountants,
undertook an extensive  process to (i) investigate  the facts and  circumstances
giving rise to the  misappropriation  of Company funds,  (ii) determine  whether
there were any  similar  or  related  transactions,  and any  Company  employees
involved in the previously-identified transactions other than those known to the
Company at the commencement of the investigation, (iii) determine the underlying
mechanics in the origination of the  transactions  and the  circumstances  under
which detection failed to occur and (iv) evaluate  internal controls relating to
the affected portion of the Company's business.

The Audit  Committee of the Board of Directors  has been advised by  independent
legal counsel that:

     o    All of the  unauthorized  transactions  occurred in 2003 and  remained
          undetected until December 2003;

     o    The unauthorized transactions were actively concealed by the Company's
          former employee in the Company's books and records; and

     o    Independent   legal   counsel  did  not  uncover  any  other   similar
          transactions  nor  any  evidence  that  any  other  Company  employees
          intentionally participated in the unauthorized transactions.

The independent  legal counsel  further  reported to the Audit Committee (i) its
view that  existing  Company  control  procedures  prior to the discovery of the
unauthorized  transactions were either circumvented or ignored,  and the control
procedures  existing  at the  time of the  unauthorized  transactions  were  not
adequate and (ii) the Company,  subsequent to the discovery of the  unauthorized
transactions,  had developed and implemented a number of key internal  controls.
In  addition,   the  independent  legal  counsel  provided   additional  control
recommendations to the Audit Committee for review and consideration.

In connection with the audit of the Company's  consolidated financial statements
for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2003,  Ernst & Young  LLP,  the  Company's
independent  auditors,  advised the Company that it had concluded  that material
weaknesses in the Company's internal control existed,  including with respect to
certain of the issues  identified as a result of the Audit  Committee's  special
investigation.  The  Company has  performed  substantial  additional  procedures
designed  to  ensure  that the  internal  control  deficiencies  did not lead to
material misstatements in its consolidated financial statements, notwithstanding
the presence of the noted internal control weaknesses.

Both  before  and after  March  31,  2004,  the  Company  instituted  additional
processes  and  procedures  to  improve  internal  control.  Subsequent  to  the
discovery of the  unauthorized  wire  transactions,  the Company  implemented  a
number of internal controls with respect to banking and investment activities.

The Audit Committee made a number of additional recommendations to the Company's
Board of Directors  for further  review and  consideration,  which were formally
acted upon  beginning  early in the  second  quarter  of 2004,  and  contemplate
additional actions in 2004. Such initiatives relate to:

     o    An assessment to be conducted with respect to the Company's  Corporate
          Finance  Department,  which  encompasses the Company's  accounting and
          finance personnel,  including  specifically  relating to the number of
          personnel,  and  the  collective  mix  and  technical  skills  of such
          personnel,  and  the  addition  of new  personnel  if  necessary.  The
          assessment is to be conducted by the Chief  Financial  Officer and, if
          deemed  appropriate,   with  the  assistance  of  a  third  party,  in
          continuing consultation with the Board;

     o    An  internal  audit  process,  with  tasks to be  performed  either by
          Company  personnel  or a third  party,  with  reporting  duties to the
          Chairman of the Company's Audit Committee;

     o    A more significant  effort devoted to internal  controls  training for
          all affected personnel, and an increased emphasis on the completion of
          internal controls documentation,  including as required by Section 404
          of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (including the anticipated retention
          in May 2004 of a third-party to assist in performing  internal control
          reviews of all of the Company's  accounting systems,  and to assist in
          expediting the completion of the internal controls documentation); and

     o    The preparation and implementation of a formal accounting policies and
          procedures manual or electronic  database to serve as a reference tool
          for Company  personnel  and to establish  uniformity  and  consistency
          throughout the Company.

The Company has previously taken actions that it believes have improved internal
controls, including:

     o    The  establishment of a Disclosure  Committee  comprised of Management
          personnel  and  senior  representatives  of  the  Company's  Corporate
          Finance  Department,  which  undertakes  reviews prior to  significant
          filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC");

     o    The modification of written ethics and compliance  materials  provided
          to Company employees,  and the formal adoption of a Code of Ethics and
          Business  Conduct,  and  the  related  establishment  of  confidential
          procedures which permit Company  employees to communicate  anonymously
          in the event of  suspected  violations  of laws or  Company  standards
          (together with mandatory  classes in 2004 for all Company employees to
          review the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct); and

     o    The  implementation  in 2003 of new enterprise  resource  planning and
          accounting  software,  which likely assisted in identifying certain of
          the accounting  deficiencies  noted above relating to property,  plant
          and equipment. (The Company in 2004 also anticipates improving modules
          in its new software and undertaking revised physical  verification and
          other  procedures to improve its  accounting  for property,  plant and
          equipment).

On April 15, 2004, Michael D. Campbell,  the Company's  Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer announced his immediate retirement.  Brian H. Strom,
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Company,  is serving as interim
Chief Financial Officer, while the Company undertakes the search for a new Chief
Financial Officer.

The Company has filed an  insurance  claim to recover the missing  funds and has
filed a civil  lawsuit  seeking  to  recover  $2,000  and other  costs from five
individuals  and a private  company  allegedly  associated  with the  fraudulent
scheme to illegally transfer the Company's funds to outside accounts. One of the
individuals has pleaded  guilty.  The Company will recognize a recovery of funds
in future periods to the extent of its insurance and litigation recoveries.

The Company has engaged in informal  discussion  with the SEC, which has been in
possession  of  certain   background   information,   regarding  the  facts  and
circumstances  of the  unauthorized  funds  transfers.  The Company has provided
supplemental  information to the SEC regarding the results of the investigation,
including with respect to the report by  independent  legal counsel to the Audit
Committee,  and it will  provide  additional  information  in response to future
requests.




<PAGE>



                              Results of Operations

Consolidated Overview

The tables below reflect certain  financial data (on a consolidated  and segment
basis) and selected  operating metrics for each reportable segment as of and for
the  quarters  ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.  Both the  financial  data and the
selected  operating  metrics  demonstrate  the  increasing   importance  of  the
Company's Broadband and Wireless segments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 Financial Data

                                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                           2004           2003          $ Change       % Change
                                      ------------  ------------   ------------     ------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>
Operating revenues (1)
   Telecom                            $    35,193   $     34,595   $        598            2%
   Broadband                                8,975          6,277          2,698           43
   Wireless                                 7,420          6,503            917           14
   Total operating revenues                51,588         47,375          4,213            9

Operating income (loss)
   Telecom                                 12,413         10,884          1,529           14
   Broadband                               (6,525)        (4,145)        (2,380)          57
   Wireless                                (4,130)        (4,834)           704          (15)
   Total operating income                   1,758          1,905           (147)          (8)

Net income (loss)
   Telecom                                  7,271          6,369            902           14
   Broadband                               (4,191)        (2,594)        (1,597)          62
   Wireless                                (2,699)        (3,100)           401          (13)
   Total net income                  $        381   $        675   $       (294)         (44)%
</TABLE>


(1)  External customers only

                                 Selected Operating Metrics
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                           2004           2003        Change          % Change
                                      ------------  ------------   ------------     ------------
<S>                                       <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
Telecom
   ILEC access lines                     135,571         136,959         (1,388)         (1)%
   Long distance lines                    43,461          40,676          2,785           7

Broadband
   DSL subscribers (1)                    20,317          16,843          3,474          21
   FTTP subscribers (2)                   11,904           6,409          5,495          86
   Revenue-generating units (3)           27,603          14,989         12,614          84

Wireless
   Subscribers                            47,279          42,925          4,354          10%

</TABLE>

(1)  DSL  subscribers  are customers who receive data services  within  SureWest
     Telephone's service area.
(2)  FTTP subscribers are customers who receive digital video, voice and/or data
     services from SureWest Broadband/Residential Services.
(3)  The  Broadband  segment  can  deliver  multiple  services  to  a  customer.
     Accordingly,    the   Company   maintains    statistical   data   regarding
     Revenue-generating  units for digital video, voice and data, in addition to
     the number of  customers.  For example,  a single  customer  who  purchases
     digital  video,  voice  and  data  services  would  be  reflected  as three
     Revenue-generating units.

Broadband  operating  revenues increased $2,698 during the first quarter of 2004
compared to the same period in 2003.  The  Broadband  segment  experienced a 21%
increase  in the  aggregate  number of DSL  subscribers  at March 31,  2004,  as
compared to March 31, 2003.  More  significantly,  this segment  reported 11,904
FTTP subscribers and 27,603  Revenue-generating units, representing increases of
86% and 84%,  respectively,  at March 31, 2004 as  compared  to March 31,  2003,
within the SureWest Broadband/Residential Services business. While continuing to
produce significant  revenue increases,  the expansion of the Broadband business
has and will continue to require  significant  capital and expense  commitments.
Accordingly,   the  Broadband   segment  incurred  larger   quarter-over-quarter
operating and net losses.

The Wireless segment  reported an increase in operating  revenues of $917 during
the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003.  The number of
wireless subscribers  increased to 47,279 at March 31, 2004,  representing a 10%
increase from March 31, 2003. SureWest Wireless  established its market share in
the Sacramento market in large part by promoting an unlimited flat rate regional
calling plan.  Throughout  2003 and during the first  quarter of 2004,  SureWest
Wireless initiated a number of new service options for customers,  including new
regional plans and a family plan,  which have  attracted new  customers.  During
2004, Wireless also plans to launch new vertical services, such as wireless data
capabilities.  Evolution of the  marketplace has prompted  SureWest  Wireless to
open four retail  stores in its service  area.  It is also seeking to expand its
service  penetration  among  major  accounts  in 2004,  while  seeking to reduce
customer churn and increasing the revenue it derives from each customer.

Operating revenues from external customers in the Telecom segment increased $598
for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003.  While
the Company  continues  to  experience  growth from the  Broadband  and Wireless
segments,  the Telecom segment  continues to be subjected to the competitive and
regulatory challenges faced by incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILEC's") both
nationally and in California. As a result of competitive pressures, this segment
experienced decreases in local and network access revenues due to (i) a decrease
in access lines of approximately  1%, resulting from increased  competition from
wireless services,  (ii) decreases in zone and toll calls and (iii) decreases in
local switching access rates.

While the  Telecom  operating  revenues  continue  to generate a majority of the
Company's  revenues and yield significant cash flows and net income, the Company
believes  that the  Telecom  segments'  results  in  recent  years  support  the
Company's   decision  to  enter  and  commit  resources  to  newer   businesses,
particularly in the Broadband segment.

The  Company's  operating  expenses  increased  due to an  increase  in  cost of
services and products expense associated with a larger number of subscribers and
services  within the Broadband and Wireless  segments.  Customer  operations and
selling expenses remained relatively flat due primarily to internal efficiencies
resulting from  integrated  customer  support  systems and  productivity  gains.
General and  administrative  expenses  increased as a result of increases in (i)
professional  fees and legal  expense due to the Treasury  investigation  and an
increase in audit services,  (ii) medical and liability  insurance costs,  (iii)
information  management  expense  due  to an  increase  in  headcount  and  (iv)
maintenance  and support  expenses  due to software  implementation  and overall
growth of the Company.

The Company's  depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1,093 during the
first quarter of 2004 as compared to the same period in the 2003.  This decrease
is due primarily to a change in accounting  estimate during the first quarter of
2004,  resulting  from  the  adoption  of new  technology  which  increased  the
estimated  useful lives of Telecom's  switching,  circuit and cable equipment by
one to three years and Wireless' base stations,  towers and network  software by
one to eight years.  The Company also  decreased the  estimated  useful lives of
certain other Telecom  assets,  including  certain other switching and voicemail
equipment.  This  change in  estimate  resulted  in a decrease  to  consolidated
depreciation  expense of $3,277 and an  increase to  consolidated  net income of
$1,887 during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.  For the remainder of 2004,  the
Company  expects  this change in estimate  to  decrease  Telecom's  depreciation
expense and increase net income by $5,942 and $3,423, respectively, and decrease
Wireless' depreciation expense and net loss by $3,388 and $1,951,  respectively.
This decrease was offset by an increase in depreciation  expense  resulting from
the continuing  additions to property,  plant and equipment and  amortization of
internal-use software, primarily within the Broadband segment.



<PAGE>



         Adjustments and Reclassifications

During the Company's  financial  statement closing process for the quarter ended
December 31, 2003,  certain matters were  identified  related to prior financial
reporting  periods  that  necessitated  the  recording  of  adjustments  to  the
Company's   consolidated   financial  statements.   Such  adjustments  pertained
principally  to property,  plant and  equipment,  and  management  believes that
weaknesses in the Company's internal controls caused the errors that resulted in
these  adjustments.  The  Company  does not  believe  any of the  aforementioned
amounts are material,  individually or in the aggregate, to the respective prior
interim periods based on both  quantitative and qualitative  factors,  including
the trend of operating results. Accordingly, the Company prospectively corrected
these errors during the fourth  quarter of 2003.  Certain of the  aforementioned
amounts relating to prior periods would have reduced the Company's first quarter
condensed consolidated net income by $233, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share,
had such errors been corrected in the period in which they originated.

Certain  amounts  in  the  Company's  2003  condensed   consolidated   financial
statements  have  been  reclassified  to  conform  to  the  presentation  of the
Company's 2004 condensed consolidated financial statements.

Segment Results of Operations

Telecom
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                               2004          2003         $Change       %Change
                                           __________    __________    __________       _______
<S>                                             <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Local service                              $   17,134    $   14,996    $    2,138         14%
Network access service                         11,610        13,417        (1,807)       (13)
Directory advertising                           4,101         3,838           263          7
Long distance service                           1,217         1,253           (36)        (3)
Other                                           1,131         1,091            40          4
Total operating revenues from external
   customers                                   35,193        34,595           598          2
Intersegment revenues                           6,216         5,523           693         13
Operating expenses                             22,817        21,475         1,342          6
Depreciation and amortization                   6,179         7,759        (1,580)       (20)
Operating income                               12,413        10,884         1,529         14
Net income                                 $    7,271    $    6,369    $      902         14%

</TABLE>


         Operating Revenues

Operating revenues from external customers in the Telecom segment increased $598
for the quarter ended March 31, 2004,  compared to the same period in 2003.  The
Telecom segment is encountering the competitive and regulatory  challenges faced
by  ILEC's  both  nationally  and in  California.  As a  result  of  competitive
pressures, the Telecom segment experienced decreases in local and network access
revenues due to (i) a decrease in access lines of  approximately  1%,  resulting
from increased  competition from wireless  services,  (ii) decreases in zone and
toll calls and (iii) decreases in local switching access rates.

Revenues within the Telecom segment are also affected by the Company's shareable
earnings  obligations.  As a result of decreased  revenues subject to regulation
and increased  expenses,  as described below,  SureWest Telephone  decreased its
provision  for  its  estimated  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings
obligations by $883 in 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. In addition,
SureWest Telephone had changes in estimates for shareable  earnings  obligations
as a result of periodic cost separation studies. For the quarter ended March 31,
2004, changes in estimates  pertaining to the Company's estimated interstate and
intrastate  shareable  earnings  obligations   increased  the  Telecom  segments
consolidated  revenues  and net  income  by $539 and  $310  ($0.02  per  share),
respectively.  For the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2003,  changes  in  estimates
pertaining  to the  Company's  estimated  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable
earnings  obligations and certain National Exchange Carrier Association ("NECA")
Carrier Common Line ("CCL") accounts  receivable  balances decreased the Telecom
segments'  revenues  and  net  income  by  $277  and  $166  ($0.01  per  share),
respectively.

The Company  adopted SEC Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  ("SAB") No. 101,  "Revenue
Recognition in Financial  Statements," effective January 1, 2000, which requires
non-recurring  revenues  associated  with service and  activation  charges to be
deferred.  The  cumulative  effect of this change in  accounting  principle  was
$3,273,  net of tax, ($0.21 per share) in 2000.  Activation  revenue  previously
deferred in connection  with the cumulative  effect  adjustment as of January 1,
2000 recognized for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $56 and $128,
respectively.  The net effect of these  revenues  was to increase net income for
the  quarters  ended March 31,  2004 and 2003 by $32 (no effect on earnings  per
share) and $75 ($0.01 per share), respectively.
<PAGE>

Directory  advertising  revenues  increased $263 for the quarter ended March 31,
2004,  compared to the same  period in 2003 due to an  increase  in  advertising
sales.

         Operating Expenses

Operating  expenses  for the Telecom  segment  increased  $1,342 for the quarter
ended March 31, 2004,  compared to the same period in 2003.  Customer operations
and  selling  expense  decreased  $147 for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004,
compared  to the  same  period  in 2003  due  primarily  to an  increase  in the
allocation of resources provided to other affiliates. General and administrative
expenses  increased  $1,303 for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 compared to the
same  period in 2003.  This  increase  was due  primarily  to  increases  in (i)
professional  fees and legal  expense due to the Treasury  investigation  and an
increase in audit services,  (ii) medical and liability  insurance costs,  (iii)
information management expense due to increase in headcount and (iv) maintenance
and support  expenses due to software  implementation  and overall growth of the
Company.

Depreciation and  amortization  decreased $1,580 for the quarter ended March 31,
2004,  compared to the same period in 2003.  This decrease is due primarily to a
change in accounting  estimate during the first quarter of 2004,  resulting from
the adoption of new  technology  which  increased the estimated  useful lives of
Telecom's  switching,  circuit  and cable  equipment  by one to three  years and
decreased the estimated useful lives of certain other Telecom assets,  including
certain switching and voicemail  equipment.  This change in accounting  estimate
resulted in a decrease to  depreciation  expense of $1,969 for the quarter ended
March 31, 2004. This decrease was partially  offset by the effects of continuing
additions  of circuit  equipment,  cable and wire  facilities  and  internal-use
software.

Certain of the Company's customers filed for bankruptcy  protection in 2002, the
most notable of which was WorldCom, Inc. ("WorldCom"),  which, together with its
affiliates,  filed for bankruptcy  protection on July 21, 2002.  With respect to
post-petition obligations, WorldCom had proposed, pursuant to a provision of the
Bankruptcy  Code,  and the  Bankruptcy  Court has  agreed,  that  utilities  are
entitled to "adequate assurances" that WorldCom will satisfy its obligations for
post-petition  services. In its original filings,  WorldCom proposed its own set
of assurances to utilities,  but such assurances did not include either deposits
or advance  payments.  Although the Bankruptcy Court did not require WorldCom to
provide any deposits or advance  payments as adequate  assurance of payment,  it
did provide,  with respect to any  post-petition  services provided after August
14, 2002, that all utilities will have a junior superiority administrative claim
senior  to  other  administrative  claims  and  junior  only  to the  claims  of
WorldCom's  post-petition  lenders.  If WorldCom fails to pay for  post-petition
services,  a utility can either take  appropriate  action  under any  applicable
tariff  or  regulation,  or seek,  on an  expedited  basis,  an  order  from the
Bankruptcy Court requiring immediate payment or other relief.  Through March 31,
2004,  obligations  owed by WorldCom to the Company for  post-petition  services
have been paid on a timely basis.




<PAGE>



         Regulatory Matters

Revenues from services  subject to  regulation,  which include local and network
access services,  constituted  approximately  56% and 60% of the Company's total
operating revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Such revenues are derived from various sources, including:

     o    business and residential subscribers, for basic exchange services
     o    surcharges,  mandated by the California  Public  Utilities  Commission
          ("CPUC")
     o    long  distance  carriers,  for network  access  service
     o    competitive  access  providers  and  subscribers,  for network  access
          services
     o    interstate pool settlements, from NECA
     o    support payments from the Universal Service Fund
     o    support   payments  from  the  California  High  Cost  Fund  ("CHCF"),
          recovering costs of services including extended area service.

Revenues  from certain  telephone  services are affected by rates  authorized by
various regulatory agencies.  Intrastate service rates are subject to regulation
by the CPUC.  With respect to toll calls  initiated by  interexchange  carriers'
customers,  the  interexchange  carriers are assessed  access  charges  based on
tariffs  filed by SureWest  Telephone.  Interstate  access  rates and  resulting
earnings  are subject to  regulation  by the Federal  Communications  Commission
("FCC").  With respect to interstate services,  SureWest Telephone has filed its
own tariff  with the FCC for all  elements  of access  services  except  carrier
common line charges,  for which SureWest Telephone concurs with tariffs filed by
NECA.

The FCC monitors  SureWest  Telephone's  interstate  earnings through the use of
annual cost separation  studies  prepared by SureWest  Telephone,  which utilize
estimated cost information and projected demand usage. The FCC establishes rules
that  carriers  must  follow  in  the   preparation   of  the  annual   studies.
Additionally,  under current FCC rules governing rate making, SureWest Telephone
is required to establish  interstate  rates based on projected  demand usage for
its various  services and  determine  the actual  earnings from these rates once
actual volumes and costs are known.

In  January  2001,  the FCC  issued a  Memorandum  Opinion  and Order to another
telephone company in which it clarified how Internet traffic,  which the FCC had
prior to that date  characterized  as largely  interstate  in nature,  should be
treated.   During  2000  and  2001,   Internet  traffic  and  DSL  service  grew
substantially,  far exceeding SureWest Telephone's estimates,  which resulted in
actual  earnings  exceeding the levels  allowed by the FCC. Based on preliminary
cost  studies,   the  Company  recognized   liabilities   relating  to  SureWest
Telephone's  estimated  interstate shareable earnings obligations of $86 for the
quarter  ended  March 31, 2003  through  reductions  of  revenues  (none for the
quarter ended March 31, 2004). During the year ended December 31, 2001, SureWest
Telephone  made  payments to certain  telecommunications  companies  aggregating
$6,800 related to interstate  shareable earnings  obligations for the monitoring
period  1999-2000.  No similar payments were made during the quarter ended March
31, 2004 or 2003.  On June 26,  2003,  SureWest  Telephone  entered into a Final
Settlement  Agreement  (the  "Settlement  Agreement")  to recover  $1,950 of the
amount paid to a  telecommunications  company in 2001.  The funds were  received
pursuant to the  Settlement  Agreement  on July 8, 2003.  SureWest  Telephone is
currently  seeking a similar  refund from  another  telecommunications  company.
However,   the  recoverability  of  the  remaining  funds  cannot  presently  be
determined because the bankruptcy proceeding relating to the  telecommunications
company from which the Company is seeking a refund has not been completed.

Prior to January 1, 2002,  SureWest Telephone billed SBC Communications  ("SBC")
various charges for certain local service and network access service revenues in
accordance  with certain  agreements as described  below. In 1999, SBC expressed
interest in withdrawing  from the  designated  carrier plan ("DCP") for SureWest
Telephone's  toll  traffic.  The  DCP  was a  compensation  arrangement  between
SureWest  Telephone  and SBC for  certain  intrastate  toll  services.  SureWest
Telephone  and SBC  agreed to allow the DCP  arrangement  to expire in  December
2001. The termination of the DCP did not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated  financial  position  as of March 31,  2004 and 2003 or  results of
operations for the quarters then ended.

In  1999,  SBC  also  expressed  interest  in  entering  into a  new,  permanent
compensation  arrangement for extended area service  ("EAS").  At that time, SBC
had  been  paying  SureWest  Telephone  approximately  $11,500  per year for EAS
pursuant  to a  Settlement  Transition  Agreement.  In November  2000,  the CPUC
authorized  SBC to  terminate  its annual EAS  payments  to  SureWest  Telephone
effective November 30, 2000. The CPUC authorized replacement funding to SureWest
Telephone on an interim basis using funds from the CHCF.  In addition,  the CPUC
opened an Order Instituting Investigation ("OII") for the purpose of determining
whether future  recovery of all, none, or a portion of the  approximate  $11,500
annual  payments   previously  received  from  SBC  should  come  from  SureWest
Telephone's ratepayers or other regulatory recovery mechanisms.  This proceeding
began in 2001,  evidentiary  hearings  were held during  2002,  and briefing was
completed  in  February  2003.  In this  proceeding,  the  Office  of  Ratepayer
Advocates  ("ORA")  recommended that the CPUC discontinue  SureWest  Telephone's
present  interim EAS funding from the CHCF  without  replacement  revenues  from
ratepayers. The CPUC's decision in this matter is expected during 2004. The CPUC
has made no indication as to what, if any, changes will be forthcoming  relating
to EAS revenues. The results of these proceedings and their potential effects on
SureWest Telephone cannot yet be determined.

In 1996,  the CPUC issued a decision in  connection  with  SureWest  Telephone's
general rate proceeding,  which authorized SureWest Telephone to implement a New
Regulatory  Framework ("NRF") for services furnished within SureWest Telephone's
service  area in order to  accommodate  market and  regulatory  movement  toward
competition and greater pricing  flexibility.  Under the NRF, SureWest Telephone
is subject to ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements, including a sharing
mechanism  whereby  SureWest  Telephone  is  required  to  share  earnings  with
customers  through  reductions of revenues if its earned  annual  rate-of-return
exceeds that authorized by the CPUC.

In accordance  with the  requirements  of its general rate case order,  SureWest
Telephone filed an application for review of its NRF in 1999. In connection with
this  proceeding,  the CPUC's ORA  undertook  a  verification  audit of SureWest
Telephone's  non-regulated and affiliated  transactions  pursuant to the general
rate case and other CPUC orders.  In June 2001, the CPUC adopted its decision in
this matter (the "Decision"). The Decision did not suspend the sharing mechanism
as SureWest  Telephone had requested and the CPUC ruled that SureWest  Telephone
must change the method used to allocate costs for services  provided by SureWest
Telephone to its affiliates, the treatment of certain directory revenues and the
treatment of  internal-use  software costs. In accordance with the provisions of
the Decision, the Company recorded liabilities and reductions of revenues of $70
and $867 relating to estimated  intrastate  shareable earnings obligation during
the quarters  ended March 31, 2004 and 2003,  respectively.  The decrease in the
provision  for  its  estimated   intrastate  shareable  earnings  obligation  is
primarily  due  to  decreased  revenues  subject  to  regulation  and  increased
expenses.

Beginning in January 2002, SureWest Telephone began paying a customer refund for
intrastate  overearnings  relating to the years 1998 and 1999.  A portion of the
customers'  intrastate  service  charges was returned in the form of a surcredit
beginning in January  2002 and ending in January  2003,  totaling  approximately
$4,605 (of which $294 was returned during 2003).

Beginning in November 2003,  SureWest  Telephone  began paying a consumer refund
for  intrastate  overearnings  relating  to the  year  2002.  A  portion  of the
consumer's  intrastate service charges was returned to the consumers in the form
of a surcredit  beginning in November 2003 and ending in February 2004, totaling
$483 (of which $208 was returned during the first quarter of 2004).

During  the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004,  SureWest  Telephone  changed  its
estimates for a portion of its  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings
obligations as a result of periodic cost separation studies.  For the monitoring
periods  prior to 2004,  these  changes in  accounting  estimates  increased the
Company's  consolidated  revenues  by $539 and net  income  by $310  ($0.02  per
share).

During  the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2003,  SureWest  Telephone  changed  its
estimates for a portion of its  interstate  and  intrastate  shareable  earnings
obligations  and certain  NECA CCL accounts  receivable  balances as a result of
periodic cost  separation  studies.  For the  monitoring  periods prior to 2003,
these changes in  accounting  estimates  decreased  the  Company's  consolidated
revenues by $277 and net income by $166 ($0.01 per share).

As of March  31,  2004,  the  Company's  consolidated  balance  sheet  reflected
aggregate  liabilities  of $12,712  relating to SureWest  Telephone's  estimated
interstate and  intrastate  shareable  earnings  obligations.  The  calculations
supporting these liabilities are very complex and involve a variety of estimates
prior to the ultimate  settlement  of such  obligations.  In addition,  SureWest
Telephone's  interstate  shareable  earnings  obligations  lapse  over  time  if
SureWest Telephone's  interexchange carrier and other customers do not claim the
amounts  ascribed  to  them.   Accordingly,   it  is  reasonably  possible  that
management's   estimates  of  the  Company's   liabilities  for  interstate  and
intrastate shareable earnings obligations could change in the near term, and the
amounts involved could be material.

Broadband

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Quarter Ended March 31,
                                             2004          2003        $Change       %Change
                                          ________      ________      ________       ________
        <S>                                 <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>
     Internet service                     $  4,152      $  3,714      $    438          12%
     Residential Broadband service           3,553         1,813         1,740          96
     Business Broadband service              1,270           750           520          69
     Total  operating   revenues  from
       external customers                    8,975         6,277         2,698          43
     Intersegment revenues                     452           528           (76)        (14)
     Operating expenses                     13,934        10,101         3,833          38
     Depreciation and amortization           2,018           849         1,169         138
     Operating loss                         (6,525)       (4,145)       (2,380)         57
     Net loss                             $ (4,191)     $ (2,594)     $ (1,597)         62%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

         Operating Revenues

Operating  revenues from external  customers in the Broadband  segment increased
$2,698 for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004,  compared to the same period in
2003. The increase in Broadband revenues is due to the combined effects of (i) a
21% increase in residential  and business DSL subscriber  customer base, (ii) an
86% increase in the number of FTTP subscribers of SureWest Broadband/Residential
Services and (iii) the continued  expansion of the Business Broadband  services,
including  several  new  customers  in the  current  year  quarter  who were not
customers in the prior year quarter.  These  increases were offset by a decrease
to monthly access fees for Internet  services as a result of competition  and an
increase in contract customers.

         Operating Expenses

Total  operating  expenses for the Broadband  segment  increased  $3,833 for the
quarter  ended March 31,  2004,  compared  to the same  period in 2003.  Cost of
services and products  increased $2,306 during the quarter ended March 31, 2004,
compared  to the  same  period  in 2003  due  primarily  to (i) an  increase  in
programming  and transport  costs related to the 86% increase in FTTP subscriber
growth of SureWest  Broadband/Residential  Services, (ii) an increase in repairs
and maintenance  expense resulting from an increase in outside  plant-in-service
and (iii) an increase in personnel to support the outside plant and  engineering
functions.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the number of
modems  expensed  in  the  first  quarter  of  2004  due  to a  leasing  program
implemented at the end of the first quarter of 2003.

Customer operations expense increased $468 for the quarter ended March 31, 2004,
as  compared  to the same  period  in 2003  primarily  due to  increases  in (i)
advertising costs due to an increase in marketable homes passed and expansion of
bundled  services into Roseville,  California and (ii) customer  service expense
due to an  increase  in  headcount  to support the  increased  subscriber  base.
General and administrative  expense increased $1,059 for the quarter ended March
31, 2004  compared to the same period in 2003 due  primarily to increases in (i)
professional  fees and legal  expense due to the Treasury  investigation  and an
increase in audit  services  and (ii)  medical and  liability  insurance  costs.
Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased  $1,169  primarily due to an
increase   in   property,    plant   and   equipment   additions   at   SureWest
Broadband/Residential Services.


<PAGE>



Wireless
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Quarter Ended March 31,
                                          2004         2003        $Change      %Change
                                      ________      ________      ________       ________
        <S>                             <C>             <C>         <C>           <C>
        Wireless revenues from
          external customers          $  7,420     $  6,503     $    917          14%
        Intersegment revenues              311          156          155          99
        Operating expenses               8,764        7,714        1,050          14
        Depreciation and
        amortization                     3,097        3,779         (682)        (18)
        Operating loss                  (4,130)      (4,834)         704         (15)
        Net loss                      $ (2,699)    $ (3,100)    $    401         (13)%
</TABLE>

         Operating Revenues

Operating  revenues from external  customers in the Wireless  segment  increased
$917 for the quarter ended March 31, 2004,  compared to the same period in 2003.
The increase in Wireless  revenues was due primarily to (i) continued  additions
to the customer base, with a 10% overall increase in wireless  subscribers based
on  subscriber  counts at March 31,  2004  compared to March 31,  2003,  (ii) an
increase in roaming  revenues and (iii) the  introduction  of bundled  features,
including voicemail and text messaging.

         Operating Expenses

Total  operating  expenses for the  Wireless  segment  increased  $1,050 for the
quarter  ended March 31,  2004,  compared  to the same  period in 2003.  Cost of
services and products  increased  $801 during the quarter  ended March 31, 2004,
compared to the same period in 2003.  This  increase was due primarily to (i) an
increase  to phone  subsidy  and  interconnect  expense  due to an  increase  in
subscriber  base,  (ii) an increase in  maintenance  expense,  resulting from an
increase  in  plant-in-service  and (iii) an  increase  in tower  rent due to an
increase in cell sites. This increase was offset by a 7% decrease in the average
unit cost per handset. General and administrative expense increased $198 for the
quarter  ended March 31, 2004  compared to the same period in 2003 due primarily
to (i)  increases  in  professional  fees and legal  expense due to the Treasury
investigation  and an increase in audit  services and (ii)  increases in medical
and liability insurance costs.

Depreciation  and  amortization  decreased  $682 for the quarter ended March 31,
2004,  compared to the same period in 2003.  This decrease is due primarily to a
change in accounting  estimate during the first quarter of 2004,  resulting from
the adoption of new  technology  which  increased the estimated  useful lives of
Wireless' base stations, towers and network software by one to eight years. This
change in accounting estimate resulted in a decrease to depreciation  expense of
$1,308 for the quarter  ended March 31,  2004.  This  decrease was offset by the
effects  of   continuing   additions  of  property,   plant  and  equipment  and
amortization of internal-use software.

         Local Number Portability

Effective November 24, 2003, the FCC has mandated that wireless carriers provide
for local  number  portability  ("LNP").  LNP allows  subscribers  to keep their
wireless phone numbers while switching to a different service provider. Although
the Company has experienced  favorable porting activity,  the  implementation of
LNP  has not had a  material  effect  on the  Company's  consolidated  financial
position or results of operations.

Non-operating Items

         Other Income and Expense, Net

Interest  expense  increased  $253  during the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004,
compared  to the same  period  in 2003 due to an  increase  in debt  outstanding
related to the Company's issuance in March 2003 of its unsecured Series B Senior
Notes ("Series B Notes").

         Income Taxes

Income taxes for the quarter ended March 31, 2004,  decreased $174,  compared to
the same period in 2003,  due  primarily  to  corresponding  decreases in income
subject  to  tax.  The  effective  federal  and  state  income  tax  rates  were
approximately  42.4% and 40.2% for the  quarters  ended March 31, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.

                         Liquidity and Capital Resources

As reflected in the Condensed  Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows,  net cash
provided by operating  activities was $15,636 and $20,979 for the quarters ended
March  31,  2004 and  2003,  respectively.  The  decrease  in cash  provided  by
operating  activities  for the current  year  compared to the same period in the
prior year was due  primarily  to decreases  in (i)  liabilities  related to the
Company's  pension  obligation,   (ii)  liabilities  related  to  the  Company's
estimated shareable earnings obligations and (iii) accrued liabilities. Net cash
provided by operating  activities during the three-month  period ended March 31,
2004 was greater than net income of $381 due to (i) non-cash charges  consisting
principally  of  depreciation  and  amortization,   (ii)  decreases  in  accrued
liabilities  and (iii) decreases in liabilities  related to estimated  shareable
earnings obligations.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company used
cash flows from  operations  and existing cash and cash  equivalents to fund (i)
capital  expenditures  of  $15,978  pertaining  to  ongoing  plant  construction
projects and (ii) dividends of $3,644.

The  Company's  most  significant  use of  funds  for the  remainder  of 2004 is
expected to be for (i) budgeted capital  expenditures of approximately  $61,984,
(ii)  scheduled  payments  of  long-term  debt of $3,743,  (iii)  support of the
operations  of  SureWest  Broadband/Residential  Services  up to an  anticipated
$7,991  and  (iv)  support  of the  operations  of  SureWest  Wireless  up to an
anticipated   $2,524.  A  substantial  portion  of  the  2004  budgeted  capital
expenditures  are at the  discretion of the Company,  and are dependent upon the
Company's working capital position,  operating cash flows and ability to borrow,
as described  below.  The Company is required to comply with its cable franchise
agreements,  which totaled $150 in  aggregate,  to continue its build-out in the
franchise areas.

In March 2003, the Company completed a note purchase  agreement for the issuance
of its Series B Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $60,000. The Series B
Notes have a final  maturity  of ten years and an average  life of eight  years.
Interest is payable  semi-annually at a fixed rate of 4.74%.  Principal payments
are due in equal annual  installments  of $12,000  commencing  in March 2009 and
ending in March  2013.  The  Company  used a portion  of the  proceeds  from the
issuance of the Series B Notes to retire certain  short-term  borrowings,  which
had an  aggregate  outstanding  principal  balance  of  $15,000.  A  substantial
intended use of the Series B Notes  proceeds was and continues to be the funding
of  capital  expenditures  for  the  Company's  SureWest   Broadband/Residential
Services business.

In March 2000,  the Company  entered into a business loan  agreement with a bank
for a $30,000 line of credit with a term of three years.  In July 2002, the bank
amended the credit  facility  increasing the borrowing  capacity from $30,000 to
$50,000.  In March 2004, the bank further amended the credit facility  extending
the expiration date until June 1, 2005 and revising certain covenants.  Interest
on this credit  facility is based on a LIBOR-based  pricing  formula.  While the
Company  has  borrowed  previously  under this  credit  facility,  there were no
amounts  outstanding  under this credit facility as of March 31, 2004, nor since
the issuance of the Series B Notes.

In February  2000,  the Board of Directors  authorized the repurchase of up to 1
million  shares  of the  Company's  common  stock.  In June  2002,  the Board of
Directors  approved the  repurchase of an additional  500 thousand  shares.  The
shares are purchased  from time to time in the open market or through  privately
negotiated  transactions  subject to overall  financial  and market  conditions.
Additionally, the Company implemented an odd-lot repurchase program during 2001.
Through March 31, 2004, approximately 1 million shares of common stock have been
repurchased through these programs. The Company has remaining authorization from
the Board of Directors to  repurchase  an  additional  469 thousand  outstanding
shares as of March 31, 2004.

The Company had cash, cash  equivalents and short-term  investments at March 31,
2004,  of $37,568.  The Company  believes  that its  working  capital  position,
operating cash flows and borrowing  capacity are more than sufficient to satisfy
its liquidity  requirements  for the remainder of 2004.  The Company's  forecast
indicates  it is likely that the Company  will  borrow  additional  funds in the
second-half of 2004 to fund operations and planned capital  expenditures,  while
maintaining  adequate  cash  and  cash  equivalents.  Such  borrowing  might  be
undertaken  under the newly  extended  credit  facility or by the  incurrence of
additional  long-term  indebtedness,  or a  combination  of short and  long-term
borrowing. The Company believes, given its financial position and debt-to-equity
position, it has substantial  additional short-and long-term borrowing capacity.
As indicated above, a substantial portion of the Company's 2004 budgeted capital
expenditures is at the discretion of the Company.  Accordingly, the Company also
believes that it could modify its planned  construction  and  commitments if the
results of operations or borrowing opportunities so require.

Dividends are declared at the  discretion  of the Company's  Board of Directors.
However,  unsecured  Series A Senior Notes,  unsecured  Series B Notes and other
unsecured credit arrangements contain provisions that could restrict the payment
of  dividends  in certain  circumstances.  These  restrictions  include  various
positive and negative covenants with respect to cash flow coverage, tangible net
worth and  leverage  ratio.  At March 31,  2004 and 2003,  the entire  amount of
retained earnings was unrestricted.

                   Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Below is a summary of the Company's critical  accounting policies and estimates.
Management  has  discussed  development  and  selection  of critical  accounting
policies and estimates with the Company's Audit Committee.

o    Total revenues from telephone  services are affected by rates authorized by
     various  regulatory   agencies.   The  FCC  monitors  SureWest  Telephone's
     interstate  earnings  through  the use of annual  cost  separation  studies
     prepared by SureWest  Telephone,  which utilize  estimated cost information
     and projected  demand usage.  The FCC establishes  rules that carriers must
     follow in the  preparation of the annual studies.  In addition,  under NRF,
     SureWest   Telephone  is  subject  to  ongoing   monitoring  and  reporting
     requirements by the CPUC,  including a sharing  mechanism  whereby SureWest
     Telephone  may be required to share  earnings with  customers  based on its
     earned annual rate-of-return.  The calculations  supporting the liabilities
     associated with the Company's estimated shareable earnings  obligations are
     very  complex  and  involve a variety of  estimates  prior to the  ultimate
     settlement of such obligations. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that
     management's   estimates  of  SureWest   Telephone's   shareable   earnings
     obligations  could change in the near term, and the amounts  involved could
     be material.

o    The  Company  recognizes  revenue  when  (i)  persuasive   evidence  of  an
     arrangement  between the Company and the customer exists,  (ii) delivery of
     the product to the customer  has  occurred or service has been  provided to
     the customer,  (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and
     (iv) collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured.

o    The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses
     resulting  from the  potential  inability of its customers to make required
     payments.  If the financial  condition of the Company's  customers  were to
     deteriorate,  resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments,
     additional allowances may be required.

o    The  Company  states  its  inventories  held  for  sale at lower of cost or
     market.  In  assessing  the ultimate  recoverability  of  inventories,  the
     Company is required to make estimates regarding future customer demand.

o    Property,  plant and equipment and intangible  assets are recorded at cost.
     Retirements and other reductions of regulated telephone plant and equipment
     are  charged  against  accumulated   depreciation  with  no  gain  or  loss
     recognized  in  accordance   with  the  composite   group   remaining  life
     methodology  utilized for telephone plant assets.  When property applicable
     to  non-telephone  operations  is sold or  retired,  the asset and  related
     accumulated  depreciation  are removed from the accounts and the associated
     gain or loss is recognized. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated or
     amortized  using the  straight-line  method over their  estimated  economic
     lives. The economic lives are estimated at the time the assets are acquired
     and are based on  historical  experience  with similar  assets,  as well as
     anticipated  technological or other changes. If technological  changes were
     to occur more rapidly than anticipated or differently than anticipated, the
     economic lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting
     in the recognition of increased  depreciation and  amortization  expense in
     future periods. Likewise, if the anticipated technological or other changes
     occur more  slowly than  anticipated,  the life of the asset group could be
     extended based on the life assigned to new assets added to the group.  This
     could result in a reduction of  depreciation  and  amortization  expense in
     future periods. The Company reviews these types of assets annually, or when
     events  or  circumstances  indicate  that the  carrying  amount  may not be
     recoverable  over the  remaining  lives of the  assets.  In  assessing  the
     recoverability  of  the  Company's   property,   plant  and  equipment  and
     intangible assets,  which consist principally of wireless spectrum licenses
     and goodwill,  the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future
     cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the  respective
     assets.  If these  estimates  and  assumptions  change in the  future,  the
     Company  may be  required  to record  impairment  charges  relating  to its
     intangible assets.

o    The Company  accounts for income taxes using the  liability  method.  Under
     this method,  deferred tax assets and liabilities  are determined  based on
     differences  between the  financial  reporting  and tax bases of assets and
     liabilities  and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are
     expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.  The
     Company does not have a valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset as of
     March 31, 2004 or 2003  because it believes it is more likely than not that
     such deferred tax asset will be realized. Should the Company determine that
     it would not be able to realize  all or part of its  deferred  tax asset in
     the future,  an  adjustment  to the  deferred tax asset would be charged to
     income in the period in which the determination was made.

o    The Company has pension and post-retirement  benefit costs and obligations.
     The  Company's  pension  and   post-retirement   benefit   obligations  are
     actuarially  determined  based on  estimates of discount  rates,  long-term
     rates of return on plan assets and increases in future compensation levels.
     Changes in these estimates and other factors could significantly impact the
     Company's pension and post-retirement benefit costs and obligations.

o    The Company is a party to a variety of litigation,  regulatory  proceedings
     and other contingencies that arise in the ordinary course of business.  The
     Company is required to assess the  likelihood  of any adverse  judgments or
     outcomes to these matters,  as well as potential  ranges of probable losses
     for  certain  of  these  matters.  The  determination  of  the  liabilities
     required,  if any, for loss contingencies is made after careful analysis of
     each individual  issue. In the opinion of management,  the ultimate outcome
     of these  matters will not  materially  affect the  Company's  consolidated
     financial position and results of operations.

o    The Company currently sponsors two Equity Incentive Plans (the "Plans") for
     certain employees,  outside directors and consultants of the Company, which
     were approved by the Company's  shareholders.  The Plans permit issuance by
     the  Company  of  awards in the form of  restricted  shares,  stock  units,
     performance shares,  stock options and stock appreciation  rights. Prior to
     2003,  the Company  accounted  for those plans  under the  recognition  and
     measurement  provisions of Accounting  Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No.
     25,   "Accounting   for   stock   issued   to   employees,"   and   related
     interpretations.  No stock based compensation expense for stock options was
     reflected in net income for the years ended  December 31, 2002 and 2001, as
     all stock options  granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to
     the  fair  value of the  underlying  common  stock  on the  date of  grant.
     Effective  January 1, 2003, the Company  adopted the preferable  fair value
     recognition  provisions  of  Statement of  Financial  Accounting  Standards
     ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation  Transition and
     Disclosure."  Under  the  prospective  transition  method  selected  by the
     Company,  as  described  in  SFAS  No.  148,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
     Compensation-Transition   and   Disclosure,"   compensation   expense   was
     recognized  in 2003 for all employee  awards  granted,  modified or settled
     after January 1, 2003.

     The Company  voluntarily made the choice to change to the preferable method
     of accounting for employee  stock options in accordance  with SFAS No. 123.
     The  Company   concluded   that  stock  options  are  a  form  of  employee
     compensation expense and, therefore,  it is appropriate that these expenses
     be recorded in the results of operations to more clearly  reflect  economic
     reality.

     The  Black-Scholes  option  pricing model  includes  assumptions  regarding
     dividend yields, expected volatility, expected lives and risk-free interest
     rates.  These assumptions  reflect  management's best estimates,  but these
     items involve inherent  uncertainties based on market conditions  generally
     outside of the control of the Company.  As a result,  if other  assumptions
     had been used in the current period, stock-based compensation expense could
     have been materially different. If management uses different assumptions in
     future  periods,  stock-based  compensation  expense  could  be  materially
     impacted in future years.

                    Factors That Could Affect Future Results

As a result of the following factors,  as well as other variables  affecting our
operating results, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of
future  performance,  and  historical  trends should not  necessarily be used to
anticipate results or trends in future periods.

Representative  examples  of these  factors  include  (without  limitation)  the
following:

     We expect to continue to face  significant  competition in all parts of our
     business  and the  level of  competition  is  expected  to  intensify.  The
     telecommunications  industry  is  highly  competitive.  We face  actual  or
     potential competition from many existing and emerging companies,  including
     other incumbent and competitive  local telephone  companies,  long-distance
     carriers and resellers,  wireless  telephone  companies,  Internet  service
     providers,  satellite companies and cable television companies.  We may not
     be able to  successfully  anticipate  and  respond to  various  competitive
     factors  affecting  the  industry,  including  regulatory  changes that may
     affect our competitors and us differently,  new  technologies  and services
     that may be introduced, changes in consumer preferences, demographic trends
     and discount pricing strategies by competitors. As the incumbent carrier in
     Sacramento,   SBC  Communications   enjoys  certain  business   advantages,
     including its size,  financial  resources,  favorable  regulatory position,
     brand  recognition  and  connection  to virtually  all of our customers and
     potential  customers there. As the largest cable operator in Sacramento and
     Placer County,  Comcast enjoys certain business  advantages,  including its
     size, financial resources,  ownership or superior access to programming and
     other content, brand recognition, and first-in-the-field  advantages with a
     customer base that generates positive cash flow for its operations. We face
     intense  competition in our markets for long-distance,  Internet access and
     other  ancillary  services  that are  important  to our business and to our
     growth strategy.

     We must adapt to rapid  technological  change.  Technological  developments
     could increase our costs and cause a decline in demand for our services. In
     addition,   technology   changes  can  give  competitors   significant  new
     advantages.  If we do not replace or upgrade  technology and equipment that
     becomes obsolete,  we will be unable to compete effectively because we will
     not  be  able  to  meet  the  needs  or   expectations  of  our  customers.
     Additionally, replacing or upgrading our infrastructure in the future could
     result in significant capital expenditures.

     We are  subject to a complex and  uncertain  regulatory  environment.  Some
     parts  of our  business  are  extensively  regulated,  and  the  nature  of
     regulation continues to undergo fundamental change and reinterpretation.

     Our operations have undergone  material  changes,  and our actual operating
     results  can be  expected  to  differ  from the  results  indicated  in our
     historical financial  statements.  As a result of our acquisition of assets
     from Western Integrated  Networks,  LLC and certain affiliates in 2002, our
     mix of  operating  assets  differs  from  those  operations  upon which our
     historical  financial  statements are based.  Consequently,  our historical
     financial statements may not be reliable as an indicator of future results.

     Our success depends upon our ability to manage our growth and expansion. If
     our acquisitions and growth initiatives are not successful, we could suffer
     an adverse  effect on our  business and results of  operations.  Our growth
     strategy will require us to invest significant capital in services that may
     not achieve the desired returns.  Our future success depends, in part, upon
     our ability to manage our growth,  including  our ability to build  network
     and related facilities to serve new customers,  integrate our operations to
     take advantage of new capabilities and systems;  attract and retain skilled
     personnel across the Company,  effectively manage the demands of day to day
     operations in new areas while attempting to execute our business  strategy,
     and realize the projected  growth and revenue targets  developed by Company
     management.

     We are reliant on support funds  provided  under federal and state laws. We
     receive  revenues from various  federal or state support  funds:  long term
     support from the Universal Service Program,  CHCF-B and Universal  Lifeline
     Service  Fund.  These  governmental  programs are reviewed and amended from
     time to time, and are likely to change in the near future.  The outcome and
     impact on the Company's  operations  resulting from future changes to these
     governmental programs cannot be determined at this time.

     We could be harmed  by the  recent  adverse  developments  affecting  other
     communications  companies.  There have been numerous bankruptcies and other
     financial  difficulties  experienced by other carriers and suppliers in the
     telecommunications  and  Internet  sectors.  Similar  situations  with  our
     suppliers,  some of whom provide  products and services for which there are
     few substitutes, could cause us to experience delays, service interruptions
     or additional expenses.

     We depend on third  parties,  over whom we have no control,  to deliver our
     services.  Because of the interconnected  nature of the  telecommunications
     industry,   we  depend   heavily  on  other  local   telephone   companies,
     long-distance  carriers,  and numerous  other third  parties to deliver our
     services.  In addition,  we are  dependent  on  easements,  franchises  and
     licenses  from  various  private  parties  such  as  established  telephone
     companies and other utilities,  railroads,  long-distance companies,  state
     highway  authorities,  local governments and transit authorities for access
     to aerial pole space, underground conduits and other rights-of-way in order
     to construct  and operate our  networks.  The failure to maintain in effect
     the necessary third party  arrangements  on acceptable  terms would have an
     adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

     If we are unable to  effectively  and  efficiently  implement the necessary
     initiatives to eliminate the material weaknesses identified in our internal
     controls and procedures, there could be an adverse affect on our operations
     or financial results.  Our auditors,  Ernst & Young LLP, in connection with
     the audit of the Company's  consolidated  financial statements for the year
     ended  December 31, 2003,  advised us that they had concluded that material
     weaknesses  in the  Company's  internal  control  existed,  including  with
     respect  to  issues  identified  as a result of the  special  investigation
     instituted by the Audit Committee. The specific matters identified by Ernst
     &  Young  LLP  encompassed  (i)  control  of  cash  and  investments,  (ii)
     accounting  personnel,  policies and  procedures  and (iii)  accounting for
     property,   plant  and  equipment.   We  performed  substantial  additional
     procedures  designed to ensure that the internal  control  deficiencies did
     not  lead  to  material   misstatements  in  our   consolidated   financial
     statements.

     We have  already  implemented  various  initiatives,  and  are  considering
     additional  initiatives to improve our internal  controls,  and address the
     matters  identified  by  Ernst  &  Young  LLP.  The  implementation  of the
     initiatives and the consideration of additional necessary  improvements are
     among our highest priorities.  The Board of Directors,  under the direction
     of the  Audit  Committee,  will  continually  assess  the  progress  of the
     initiatives  and the  improvements,  and take  further  actions  as  deemed
     necessary.  Until all of the identified material weaknesses are eliminated,
     there  is a risk  of an  adverse  affect  on our  operations  or  financial
     results.  In addition,  we anticipate that the initiatives will require the
     hiring of additional  employees and the  incurrence of fees and expenses of
     third parties necessary to improve the internal controls,  likely resulting
     in increased operating expenses.

                          Regulatory and Legal Matters

SureWest  Telephone is subject to  regulation  by the FCC and CPUC. In the past,
there have been  various  proceedings  before these  agencies to which  SureWest
Telephone has been a party. In 1996, Congress passed the  Telecommunications Act
of 1996 (the "Act"), which significantly changed the regulatory  environment for
telecommunications  companies.  Beginning in 1996, the FCC conducted proceedings
and adopted  orders  implementing  the Act's  provisions to open local  exchange
service markets, such as the market of SureWest Telephone, to competition. These
proceedings  and orders  address  interconnection,  access charges and universal
service.  With  respect  to local  competition,  the FCC rules  outline  pricing
methodologies for the states to follow when setting rates for incumbent carriers
(such as SureWest  Telephone) to charge competitors for resale,  interconnection
and unbundled network elements.

Given the Act's relatively  recent  enactment,  the ongoing actions taken by the
FCC to promulgate  rules and regulations on  interconnection  access charges and
universal service reform, and the various on-going legal challenges  considering
the validity of these FCC orders,  it is not yet possible to determine fully the
impact  of  the  Act  and  related  FCC  regulations  on  SureWest   Telephone's
operations.

The Company's  financial  condition and results of operations have been and will
be affected by recent and future  proceedings  before the CPUC and FCC.  Pending
before the FCC and CPUC are proceedings, which are considering:

     o    additional rules governing the opening of markets to competition;

     o    the goals and definition of universal  telephone service in a changing
          environment,  including  examination of subsidy support mechanisms for
          subscribers of different carriers  (including  incumbent carriers) and
          in various geographic areas;

     o    rules that will provide non-discriminatory access by competing service
          providers to the network capabilities of local exchange carriers and

     o    the regulated rates and earnings of SureWest Telephone.

There are a number of  pending  and  anticipated  other  regulatory  proceedings
occurring  at the  federal and state  levels that may have a material  impact on
SureWest Telephone.  These regulatory  proceedings  include, but are not limited
to,   consideration  of  changes  to  the  interstate  universal  service  fund,
intercarrier  compensation  (including access charges) reform and the regulation
of local exchange carriers,  and regulation of IP-enabled services. The outcomes
and impact on SureWest  Telephone's  operations of these proceedings and related
court matters cannot be determined at this time.

The  eventual  impact  on the  Company  of the  effect  of all  the  proceedings
described above cannot presently be determined.



<PAGE>



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain disclosures about
the  Company's  limited  exposure to market risk for changes in interest  rates.
There have been no  material  changes to the  information  provided  which would
require additional disclosures as of the date of this filing.

<PAGE>



ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Company management,  including the chief executive officer and controller,  have
evaluated the Company's  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in Rule
13a-15(e)  under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act")) as of the end of the  period  covered  by this  Quarterly  Report on Form
10-Q.  Based upon that  evaluation,  the chief executive  officer and controller
have  concluded  that the  Company's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are
effective,  except as discussed below, to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits  under the Exchange
Act is  recorded,  processed,  summarized  and  reported  within the time period
specified in SEC rules and forms.  Notwithstanding management's conclusions, the
effectiveness  of a system of disclosure  controls and  procedures is subject to
certain  inherent  limitations,  including cost  limitations,  judgments used in
decision  making,   assumptions  regarding  the  likelihood  of  future  events,
soundness of internal controls, and fraud. Due to the limitations,  there can be
only be  reasonable,  not  absolute,  assurance  that any  system of  disclosure
controls and procedures will be successful in preventing all errors or fraud, or
in making all material  information  known in a timely manner to the appropriate
management.

In January 2004, The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors launched a formal
investigation,   and  retained   independent   legal   counsel  to  conduct  the
investigation  with the assistance of forensic  accountants.  The  investigation
resulted from a preliminary  investigation by Company  management,  triggered by
the abrupt resignation of an employee in the Company's  Corporate Finance Group,
indicating   irregularities  by  the  former  employee  in  the  Company's  cash
management and investment functions,  and violations of the Company's investment
policies.  At  the  time  of the  commencement  of  the  special  investigation,
approximately  $2 million  of Company  funds  were  outstanding  without  proper
documentation and remain outstanding.

The independent legal counsel,  with the assistance of the forensic accountants,
undertook an extensive  process to (i) investigate  the facts and  circumstances
giving rise to the  misappropriation  of Company funds,  (ii) determine  whether
there were any  similar  or  related  transactions,  and any  Company  employees
involved in the previously-identified transactions other than those known to the
Company at the commencement of the investigation, (iii) determine the underlying
mechanics in the origination of the  transactions  and the  circumstances  under
which detection failed to occur, and (iv) evaluate internal controls relating to
the affected portion of the Company's business.

The Audit  Committee of the Board of Directors  has been advised by  independent
legal counsel that:

     o    All of the  unauthorized  transactions  occurred in 2003 and  remained
          undetected until December 2003;

     o    The unauthorized transactions were actively concealed by the Company's
          former employee in the Company's books and records; and

     o    Independent   legal   counsel  did  not  uncover  any  other   similar
          transactions  nor  any  evidence  that  any  other  Company  employees
          intentionally participated in the unauthorized transactions.

The independent  legal counsel further reported to the Audit Committee,  (i) its
view that  existing  Company  control  procedures  prior to the discovery of the
unauthorized  transactions were either circumvented or ignored,  and the control
procedures  existing  at the  time of the  unauthorized  transactions  were  not
adequate, and (ii) the Company,  subsequent to the discovery of the unauthorized
transactions,  had developed and implemented a number of key internal  controls.
In  addition,   the  independent  legal  counsel  provided   additional  control
recommendations to the Audit Committee for review and consideration.

In connection with the audit of the Company's  consolidated financial statements
for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2003,  Ernst & Young  LLP,  the  Company's
independent  auditors,  advised the Company that it had concluded  that material
weaknesses in the Company's internal control existed,  including with respect to
certain of the issues  identified as a result of the Audit  Committee's  special
investigation.  The  Company has  performed  substantial  additional  procedures
designed  to  ensure  that the  internal  control  deficiencies  did not lead to
material misstatements in its consolidated financial statements, notwithstanding
the presence of the noted  internal  control  weaknesses.  The specific  matters
identified  by Ernst & Young LLP  involving  internal  control and its operation
considered to be material weaknesses encompassed:

     o    Control of cash and  investments,  including  with respect  control of
          cash disbursements,  reconciliation procedures,  segregation of duties
          and investment policy compliance;
     o    Accounting personnel, policies and procedures; and
     o    Accounting for property, plant and equipment.

Both  before  and after  March  31,  2004,  the  Company  instituted  additional
processes  and  procedures  to  improve  internal  control.  Subsequent  to  the
discovery of the unauthorized wire transactions in 2003, the Company implemented
a number of internal controls with respect to banking activities, including:

     o    An improved  process with respect to bank  reconciliation  procedures,
          including  secondary  reviews  performed  by  Company  personnel  with
          appropriate segregation of duties;

     o    Revised   procedures  for  the  initiation  of  modifications  to  the
          Company's instructions to its bank relating to authorizations; and

     o    Weekly  reviews of the Company's  wire transfer  activity by the Chief
          Financial Officer or Controller.

The Company has also  implemented  new controls  with respect to its  investment
activities, including:

     o    Standardizing  supporting  documentation  for investment  activity and
          approvals;

     o    Revisions to the journal  entry process for  investment  transactions,
          and related segregation of duty modifications;

     o    The  preparation  of  investment   schedules  by  properly  segregated
          personnel; and

     o    Monthly investment compliance testing.

The Audit Committee made a number of additional recommendations to the Company's
Board of Directors  for further  review and  consideration,  which were formally
acted upon  beginning  early in the  second  quarter  of 2004,  and  contemplate
additional actions in 2004. Such initiatives relate to:

     o    An assessment to be conducted with respect to the Company's  Corporate
          Finance Group, which encompasses the Company's  accounting and finance
          personnel, including specifically relating to the number of personnel,
          and the collective mix and technical skills of such personnel, and the
          addition  of new  personnel  if  necessary.  The  assessment  is to be
          conducted by the Chief Financial  Officer and, if deemed  appropriate,
          with the assistance of a third party, in continuing  consultation with
          the Board.

     o    An  internal  audit  process,  with  tasks to be  performed  either by
          Company  personnel  or a third  party,  with  reporting  duties to the
          Chairman of the Company's Audit Committee.

     o    A more significant  effort devoted to internal  controls  training for
          all affected personnel, and an increased emphasis on the completion of
          internal controls documentation,  including as required by Section 404
          of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (including the anticipated retention
          in May 2004 of a third-party to assist in performing  internal control
          reviews of all of the Company's  accounting systems,  and to assist in
          expediting the completion of the internal controls documentation).

     o    The preparation and implementation of a formal accounting policies and
          procedures manual or electronic  database to serve as a reference tool
          for Company  personnel  and to establish  uniformity  and  consistency
          throughout the Company.



<PAGE>



The Company has previously taken actions that it believes have improved internal
controls, including:

     o    The  establishment of a Disclosure  Committee  comprised of Management
          personnel  and  senior  representatives  of  the  Company's  Corporate
          Finance Group, which undertakes  reviews prior to significant  filings
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

     o    The modification of written ethics and compliance  materials  provided
          to Company employees,  and the formal adoption of a Code of Ethics and
          Business  Conduct,  and  the  related  establishment  of  confidential
          procedures which permit Company  employees to communicate  anonymously
          in the event of  suspected  violations  of laws or  Company  standards
          (together with mandatory  classes in 2004 for all Company employees to
          review the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct); and

     o    The  implementation  in 2003 of new enterprise  resource  planning and
          accounting  software,  which likely assisted in identifying certain of
          the accounting  deficiencies  noted above relating to property,  plant
          and equipment. (The Company in 2004 also anticipates improving modules
          in its new software and undertaking revised physical  verification and
          other  procedures to improve its  accounting  for property,  plant and
          equipment).

On April 15, 2004, Michael D. Campbell,  the Company's  Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer announced his immediate retirement.  Brian H. Strom,
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Company,  is serving as interim
Chief Financial Officer, while the Company undertakes the search for a new Chief
Financial Officer.

The Company  will  continue  to evaluate  the  effectiveness  of its  disclosure
controls and internal controls and procedures on an ongoing basis, and will take
further action as appropriate.

With the  exception  of the items noted  above,  there has been no change in the
Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by
the report,  that has materially  affected or is reasonably likely to materially
affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


<PAGE>



PART II

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Except for the  proceedings  described  below,  the  Company is not aware of any
material  pending  legal  proceedings,  other than ordinary  routine  litigation
incidental  to its  business,  to which  it is a party  or to  which  any of its
property is subject.

In 1996, the California Public Utilities  Commission  ("CPUC") issued a decision
in  connection  with  SureWest   Telephone's  general  rate  proceeding,   which
authorized  SureWest  Telephone to implement a New Regulatory  Framework ("NRF")
for services  furnished  within  SureWest  Telephone's  service area in order to
accommodate  market and  regulatory  movement  toward  competition  and  greater
pricing  flexibility.  Under the NRF,  SureWest  Telephone is subject to ongoing
monitoring and reporting  requirements,  including a sharing  mechanism  whereby
SureWest  Telephone  is  required to share  earnings  with  customers  through a
reduction  of  revenues  if  its  earned  annual  rate-of-return   exceeds  that
authorized by the CPUC.

In accordance  with the  requirements  of its general rate case order,  SureWest
Telephone filed an application for review of its NRF in 1999. In connection with
this proceeding,  the CPUC's Office of Ratepayer  Advocates  ("ORA") undertook a
verification  audit  of  SureWest   Telephone's   non-regulated  and  affiliated
transactions  pursuant to the general rate case and other CPUC  orders.  In June
2001,  the CPUC  adopted  its  decision in this  matter  (the  "Decision").  The
Decision  did not suspend  the  sharing  mechanism  as  SureWest  Telephone  had
requested,  and further provided that SureWest  Telephone must change the method
used to  allocate  costs for  services  provided by  SureWest  Telephone  to its
affiliates,  the  treatment of certain  directory  revenues and the treatment of
internal-use software costs. Additionally,  in accordance with the provisions of
the  Decision,  the Company  recorded  certain  liabilities  and  reductions  of
revenues relating to estimated intrastate shareable earnings obligations.

Prior to January 1, 2002,  SureWest  Telephone  billed SBC  various  charges for
certain local service and network  access  service  revenues in accordance  with
certain  agreements  as described  below.  In 1999,  SBC  expressed  interest in
withdrawing  from the designated  carrier plan ("DCP") for SureWest  Telephone's
toll traffic. The DCP was a compensation  arrangement between SureWest Telephone
and SBC for certain intrastate toll services.  SureWest Telephone and SBC agreed
to allow the DCP arrangement to expire in December 2001.

In  1999,  SBC  also  expressed  interest  in  entering  into a  new,  permanent
compensation  arrangement for extended area service  ("EAS").  At that time, SBC
had  been  paying  SureWest  Telephone  approximately  $11,500  per year for EAS
pursuant  to a  Settlement  Transition  Agreement.  In November  2000,  the CPUC
authorized  SBC to  terminate  its annual EAS  payments  to  SureWest  Telephone
effective November 30, 2000. The CPUC authorized replacement funding to SureWest
Telephone on an interim basis using the current  reserve in the California  High
Cost  Fund  ("CHCF").  In  addition,   the  CPUC  opened  an  Order  Instituting
Investigation  ("OII") for the purpose of determining whether future recovery of
all, none, or a portion of the approximate  $11,500 annual  payments  previously
received  from SBC should come from  SureWest  Telephone's  ratepayers  or other
regulatory  recovery  mechanisms.  This  proceeding  began in 2001,  evidentiary
hearings were held during 2002,  and briefing was completed in February 2003. In
this  proceeding,   the  ORA  recommends  that  the  CPUC  discontinue  SureWest
Telephone's  present  interim  EAS  funding  from the CHCF  without  replacement
revenues from ratepayers.  The CPUC's decision in this matter is expected during
2003.  The CPUC has made no  indication  as to  what,  if any,  changes  will be
forthcoming relating to EAS revenues. The results of these proceedings and their
potential effects on SureWest Telephone cannot yet be determined.

SureWest Telephone's  operations may also be impacted by the  Telecommunications
Act  of  1996  (the  "Act").  The  Act  significantly   changed  the  regulatory
environment  for  telecommunications  companies.  Beginning in 1996, the Federal
Communications  Commission  ("FCC")  conducted  proceedings  and adopted  orders
implementing the Act's  provisions to open local exchange service markets,  such
as the market of SureWest  Telephone,  to  competition.  These  proceedings  and
orders address interconnection, access charges and universal service.

Given the ongoing  activities of the FCC to promulgate  rules and regulations on
interconnection,  access charges,  and universal service reform, and the various
on-going legal  challenges  considering the validity of these FCC orders,  it is
not yet  possible  to  determine  fully the  impact of the Act and  related  FCC
regulations on SureWest Telephone's operations.
<PAGE>

There are a number of other regulatory  proceedings occurring at the federal and
state  levels  that may have a  material  impact on  SureWest  Telephone.  These
regulatory proceedings include, but are not limited to, consideration of changes
to the  jurisdictional  separations  process,  the interstate  universal service
fund,  access charge reform and the regulation of local exchange  carriers.  The
outcomes and impact on SureWest Telephone's  operations of these proceedings and
related court matters cannot be determined at this time.

The regulatory  proceedings  occurring at the state and federal levels described
above may also broaden the scope of  competition  in the  provision of regulated
services  and  change  the  rates  and rate  structure  for  regulated  services
furnished  by SureWest  Telephone,  the  effects of which on SureWest  Telephone
cannot yet be determined.


<PAGE>



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     a)   See Index to Exhibits.

     b)   Reports on Form 8-K:

          The Company  filed a report on Form 8-K on January 9, 2004  announcing
          the Change of Independent  Auditors for the SureWest KSOP from Ernst &
          Young LLP to Moss Adams LLP.

          The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on January 14, 2004 relating to
          the disclosure of the  investigation  of certain  irregularities  by a
          former employee in the cash management and investment function.

          The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on January 29, 2004  announcing
          the election of Steven Oldham to its Board Of Directors

          The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on February 5, 2004 relating to
          the  multiple  arrests  by  federal  authorities,  including  a former
          Company employee.

          The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on February 6, 2004  announcing
          the  conference  call  regarding  the  multiple  arrests  announced on
          February 5, 2004.

          The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on February 9, 2004 relating to
          the  commencement  of  civil  litigation  relating  to  the  Company's
          previously reported missing treasury funds.

          The Company  filed a report on Form 8-K on February 26, 2004  relating
          to the indictments  against a former  employee and other  individuals,
          and the ongoing investigation.

          The Company  filed a report on Form 8-K on March 15,  2004  announcing
          that the Company has filed a notice with the  Securities  and Exchange
          Commission  to  extend  the  period  in which to file its 2003  Annual
          Report on Form 10-K.

          The Company  filed a report on Form 8-K on March 24, 2004  relating to
          its  forthcoming  earnings  announcement  and  the  resignation  of  a
          director.

          The Company  filed a report on Form 8-K on March 29, 2004  relating to
          the  announcement  of fourth  quarter  and full  year  2003  financial
          results.


<PAGE>


                                              SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                                                 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                                   (Item 6 (a))

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Method
    Exhibit No.                               Description                                of Filing          Page
        <S>                      <C>                                                     <C>                 <C>

        3.1           Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, together with          Incorporated by        -
                      Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation dated        reference
                      January 25, 1996 and Certificate of Amendment of Articles
                      of Incorporation dated June 21, 1996 (Filed as Exhibit 3(a)
                      to Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended
                      September 30, 1996)

        3.2           Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation dated     Incorporated by        -
                      May 18, 2001 (Filed as Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-Q Quarterly         reference
                      Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2001)

        3.3           Bylaws of Registrant (Filed as Exhibit 3(b)to Form 10-K         Incorporated by        -
                      Annual Report of the Registrant for the year ended December        reference
                      31, 2000)

        4.1           Shareholder Rights Plan(Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-A        Incorporated by        -
                      Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1934)           reference

        10.1          Credit Agreement of SureWest Telephone Company with Bank of     Incorporated by        -
                      America National Trust and Savings Association, dated              reference
                      January 4, 1994 (Filed as Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-K Annual
                      Report of Registrant for the year ended December 31, 1993)

        10.2          Note Purchase Agreement for Series A Senior Notes in the        Incorporated by        -
                      aggregate amount of $40,000,000 dated December 9, 1998             reference
                      (Filed as Exhibit 10(b) to Form 10-K Annual Report of
                      Registrant for the year ended December 31, 1998)

        10.3          Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement for Series B Senior       Incorporated by        -
                      Notes in the aggregate amount of $60,000,000 dated March           reference
                      13, 2003 (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K filed March
                      13, 2003)

</TABLE>

<PAGE>







                                              SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                                                 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                                   (Item 6 (a))
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Method
    Exhibit No.                               Description                                of Filing          Page
        <S>                             <C>                                             <C>                 <C>
        10.4          Business Loan Agreement of Registrant with Bank of America,     Incorporated by        -
                      dated March 15, 2000, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated          reference
                      as of April 10, 2000 (Filed as Exhibit 10(f) to Form 10-Q
                      Quarterly Report of Registrant for the quarter ended March
                      31, 2000), as amended by Amendment No. 2 dated as of
                      September 15, 2000, Amendment No. 3 dated as of July 17,
                      2001, and Amendment No. 4 dated as of June 26, 2002 (Filed
                      as Exhibit 10(l) to Form 10-Q Quarterly Report of
                      Registrant for the Quarter ended June 30, 2002)

        10.5          Amendment No. 5 to Business Loan Agreement dated February       Incorporated by        -
                      26, 2003 (Filed as Exhibit 10(e) to Form 10-K Annual Report        reference
                      of Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2002)

        10.6          Amendment No. 6 to Business Loan Agreement dated as of          Incorporated by        -
                      January 13, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-K Annual        reference
                      Report of Registrant for year ended December 31, 2003)

        10.7          Amendment No. 7 to Business Loan Agreement dated as of          Incorporated by        -
                      March 25, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K Annual          reference
                      Report of Registrant for year ended December 31, 2003)

        10.8          1999 Restricted Stock Bonus Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10(d) to     Incorporated by        -
                      Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for the year ended           reference
                      December 31, 1998)

        10.9          2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (Filed as                 Incorporated          -
                      Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for        by reference
                      the year ended December 31, 2003)

       10.10          SureWest KSOP (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration             Incorporated by        -
                      Statement on Form S-8 [No. 333-87222])                             reference

       10.11          Letter agreement dated January 16, 2001                         Incorporated by        -
                      between Registrant and Brian H. Strom (Filed as Exhibit 10         reference
                      (g) to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for the year
                      ended December 31, 2000)

       10.12          Letter agreement dated January 16, 2001                         Incorporated by        -
                      between Registrant and Michael D. Campbell (Filed as               reference
                      Exhibit 10 (h) to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for
                      the year ended December 31, 2000)

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                                        SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                              (Item 6 (a))
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Method
    Exhibit No.                               Description                                of Filing          Page
        <S>                                     <C>                                        <C>               <C>
       10.13          Letter agreement dated January 16, 2001                         Incorporated by        -
                      between Registrant and Jay B. Kinder (Filed as Exhibit 10          reference
                      (i) to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for the year
                      ended December 31, 2000)

       10.14          Letter agreement dated January 16, 2001                         Incorporated by        -
                      between Registrant and Bill M. DeMuth (Filed as Exhibit            reference
                      10.14 to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for the year
                      ended December 31, 2003)

       10.15          Letter agreement dated January 16, 2001                         Incorporated by        -
                      between Registrant and Fred A. Arcuri (Filed as Exhibit            reference
                      10.15 to Form 10-K Annual Report of Registrant for the year
                      ended December 31, 2003)

        31.1          Certification of Brian H. Strom, President and Chief            Filed herewith         41
                      Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of
                      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

        31.2          Certification of Dan T. Bessey, Controller, as adopted          Filed herewith         42
                      pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

        32.1          Certification of Brian H. Strom, President and Chief            Filed herewith         43
                      Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
                      adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
                      of 2002

        32.2          Certification of Dan T. Bessey, Controller, pursuant to 18      Filed herewith         44
                      U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
                      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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.

                                  SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS
                                  (Registrant)



                                   By:    /s/ BRIAN H. STROM
                                        -------------------------------
                                                Brian H. Strom,
                                               President and Chief
                                                Executive Officer
                                            (Duly Authorized Signatory
                                           and Principal Financial Officer)


Date: May 7, 2004


<PAGE>




                                                                    EXHIBIT 31.1


                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Brian  Strom,  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  and Chief  Financial
Officer, certify that:

1.   I  have   reviewed  this   quarterly   report  on  Form  10-Q  of  SureWest
     Communications;

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of
     a material  fact or omit to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the
     statements made, in light of the circumstances  under which such statements
     were made,  not  misleading  with  respect  to the  period  covered by this
     report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in  this  report,  fairly  present  in all  material
     respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash flows of
     the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)):

     a)   Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  to ensure  that  material  information  relating  to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
          us by others within those entities,  particularly during the period in
          which this report is being prepared;

     b)   Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
          of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     c)   Disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most  recent  fiscal  quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's  other certifying  officer and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
     the registrant's  auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of
     directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     a)   All significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     b)   Any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting.


Date:  May 7, 2004
                               By:       /s/ BRIAN H. STROM
                                     ----------------------
                                           Brian H. Strom,
                                         President and Chief
                                          Executive Officer



<PAGE>




                                                                    EXHIBIT 31.2


                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Dan T. Bessey, Controller, certify that:

1.   I  have   reviewed  this   quarterly   report  on  Form  10-Q  of  SureWest
     Communications;

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of
     a material  fact or omit to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the
     statements made, in light of the circumstances  under which such statements
     were made,  not  misleading  with  respect  to the  period  covered by this
     report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in  this  report,  fairly  present  in all  material
     respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash flows of
     the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)):

     a)   Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  to ensure  that  material  information  relating  to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
          us by others within those entities,  particularly during the period in
          which this report is being prepared;

     b)   Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
          of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     c)   Disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most  recent  fiscal  quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's  other certifying  officer and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
     the registrant's  auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of
     directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     a)   All significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     b)   Any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting.


Date:  May 7, 2004
                                 By:     /s/ DAN T. BESSEY
                                         --------------------
                                               Dan T. Bessey,
                                                 Controller




<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.1


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  18 U.S.C SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with  the  Quarterly  Report  of  SureWest  Communications  (the
"Company"),  on Form 10-Q for the period  ended March 31, 2004 as filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on the date  hereof (the  "Report"),  the
undersigned,  as the Chief Executive  Officer of the Company,  hereby  certifies
pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350,  as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) and
          Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

Date:  May 7, 2004

                              By:       /s/ BRIAN H. STROM
                                     ----------------------
                                           Brian H. Strom,
                                         President and Chief
                                          Executive Officer


A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided   to  SureWest   Communications   and  will  be  retained  by  SureWest
Communications  and furnished to the Securities  and Exchange  Commission or its
staff upon request.



<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.2


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  18 U.S.C SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with  the  Quarterly  Report  of  SureWest  Communications  (the
"Company"),  on Form 10-Q for the period  ended March 31, 2004 as filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on the date  hereof (the  "Report"),  the
undersigned,  as the Controller of the Company,  hereby certifies pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  Section 1350, as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) and
          Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

Date:  May 7, 2004

                                 By:     /s/ DAN T. BESSEY
                                         --------------------
                                               Dan T. Bessey,
                                                 Controller


A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided   to  SureWest   Communications   and  will  be  retained  by  SureWest
Communications  and furnished to the Securities  and Exchange  Commission or its
staff upon request.