<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2 Final//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
     <!-- Created by EDGAR Ease Plus (EDGAR Ease+ 1.6a) -->
     <!-- Project:        I:\CONVER\ny12849.eep                                            -->
     <!-- Control Number: ny12849                                                          -->
     <!-- Rev Number:     8-K                                                              -->
     <!-- Client Name:    McLeodUSA                                                        -->
     <!-- Project Name:   ny12849                                                          -->
     <!-- Firm Name:      McLeodUSA Inc                                                    -->
     <TITLE>8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=BOTTOM>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR><BR>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549  </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=BOTTOM>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>FORM 8-K</B>  </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=BOTTOM>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>CURRENT
REPORT<BR><BR>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the<BR> Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>  </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=BOTTOM>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date
of Report (Date of Earliest Event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;May 5, 2004<!-- DATE --> </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH="600" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3"><B>McLEODUSA INCORPORATED<!-- Name of Registrant --></B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="MIDDLE">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1 width=96%></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="8k Cover table 3" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH="600" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0">
<tr Valign=BOTTOM>
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>DELAWARE <!-- State--></font></td>
<TD WIDTH="34%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>0-20763<!-- File No.--></font></td>
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>42-1407240<!-- Irs No.--></font></td>
</tr>
<tr Valign=TOP>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Hr Size=1 Noshade></td>
<td Align=CENTER><Hr Size=1 Noshade></td>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Hr Size=1 Noshade></td>
</tr>
<tr Valign=TOP>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>(State or Other Jurisdiction <br>of Incorporation)</font></td>
<td ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>(Commission<br>File Number) </font></td>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>(IRS Employer<br> Identification No.) </font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>McLeodUSA
Technology Park, 6400 C Street SW, P.O. Box 3177, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3177 </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<tr Valign=TOP>
     <TD><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1></TD>
</tr>
</table>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;&nbsp;(319) 364-0000 </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Break Table" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><HR SIZE=5 NOSHADE COLOR="BLACK">
<BR></TD></TR></TABLE>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Hang 0" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>ITEM 12.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

     <B>Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush Left" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On
May 5, 2004, we announced our financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 2004, and certain other information, in a press release, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush Left" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The
information furnished pursuant to this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit
hereto) shall not be considered &#147;filed&#148; under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into our future filings under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, unless we expressly set forth in such future filing that such information is to
be considered &#147;filed&#148; or incorporated by reference therein. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Break Table" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><HR SIZE=5 NOSHADE COLOR="BLACK">
</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center 2 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>SIGNATURE </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent 0" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 hereunto duly
authorized.  </FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Company Right" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH="600" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
    <TD WIDTH="20%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Date: May 5, 2004 <!-- TYPE "DATE:" HERE--> </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">McLEODUSA INCORPORATED<!-- COMPANY --> </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Date By Signature" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH="600" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
    <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; <!-- DATE--> </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">By: </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp;/s/ G. Kenneth Burckhardt<!-- NAME --> </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="TOP">
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp; </TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD> <HR NOSHADE SIZE="1"> </TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Company Right" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH="600" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
    <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; <!-- TYPE "DATE:" HERE--> </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">G. Kenneth Burckhardt<BR>
Chief Financial Officer<!-- COMPANY --> </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Break Table" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><HR SIZE=5 NOSHADE COLOR="BLACK">
</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Bold 2 T 600" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Exhibit
Index </FONT></H1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Exhibit Index" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=13%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Exhibit <BR>
<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;No.&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=3%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
       <U>Exhibits</U>  </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Exhibit Index" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=13%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99.1  </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=3%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=84%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Press
Release, dated May 5, 2004 </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Break Table" FSL="Project" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><HR SIZE=5 NOSHADE COLOR="BLACK">
</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "chi454979.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 10896}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MCLEODUSA INC", "cik": "0000919943", "assigned-sic": "4812", "irs-number": "421407240", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-20763", "film-number": "04779620"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6400 C ST SW", "street2": "PO BOX 3177", "city": "CEDAR RAPIDS", "state": "IA", "zip": "52406", "phone": "3193640000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6400 C ST SW", "street2": "PO BOX 3177", "city": "CEDAR RAPIDS", "state": "IA", "zip": "52406"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "MCLEOD INC", "date-changed": "19960403"}}
8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of Report (Date of Earliest Event reported):  May 5, 2004
McLEODUSA INCORPORATED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
DELAWARE
0-20763
42-1407240
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
McLeodUSA
Technology Park, 6400 C Street SW, P.O. Box 3177, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3177
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:  (319) 364-0000
ITEM 12.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On
May 5, 2004, we announced our financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 2004, and certain other information, in a press release, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The
information furnished pursuant to this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit
hereto) shall not be considered "filed" under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into our future filings under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, unless we expressly set forth in such future filing that such information is to
be considered "filed" or incorporated by reference therein.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
Date: May 5, 2004
McLEODUSA INCORPORATED
By:
/s/ G. Kenneth Burckhardt
G. Kenneth Burckhardt
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit
Index
Exhibit
No.
Exhibits
99.1
Press
Release, dated May 5, 2004