EXHIBIT 12
JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (In millions) Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------ 2000 1999 1998 -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes........ $503.1 $314.6 $251.8 -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges Interest expense and amortization of financing costs............... 103.8 66.9 11.8 Portion of rent expense representing interest......... 50.7 35.4 9.1 -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges excluding capitalized interest............ 154.5 102.3 20.9 Capitalized interest.............. - - 0.7 -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges............... 154.5 102.3 21.6 -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and fixed charges................... $657.6 $416.9 $272.7 ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................... 4.3 4.1 12.6 ======== ======== ========