I've forgotten the passcode for my iPhone SE - device is unusable, but still receiving text messages. Haven't ever backed up to icloud. How do I change (or get around the passcode) and still be able to keep all my photos, phone numbers, etc.?

If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

There is no getting around the passcode. It would be a useless feature if you could do that. And by deliberate design, iOS screen lock passcodes cannot be reset without erasing the device contents. Without having a backup already, you are going to lose your photos and data - there’s no way around that now.

There's no magic, you have to restore as new as given in the link you came from.

It's too late to keep anything since you didn't do a backup before this happens.