I think I see what you need. When you use the STR thing it is creating an array. Here is an example.
Code:
SERIN2 PORTB.5,24972,[WAIT("A"),STR NUMS\16]	'7, Even
X1 = (NUMS[1])
X2 = (NUMS[3])
X3 = (NUMS[5])
X4 = (NUMS[7])
X5 = (NUMS[9])
X6 = (NUMS[11])
X7 = (NUMS[13])
X8 = (NUMS[15])
the above is saving a 16 character array but I only want every other bit. Now I have eight variables X1 to X8. Do what ever you need with them.

Sorry for the poor example but it is what I have with me.