cannot read/store my SBUF value received

Sir, I am having trouble in saving the data received from the rxd of 89c52. when i debug the program and i checked the values and changed the SBUF value and on further checking the values of the temp=SBUF the temp value is still on 0.

unsigned char temp;
void serial_read()      // read byte
{
        while(RI==0);
        temp=SBUF;
        RI=0;
}

and there is a doubt that if we return the SBUF value this is not working.

unsigned char serial_read()
{
 while(RI==0);
 return SBUF;
}

Thanks in advance.