EXHIBIT 12 BOISE CASCADE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Ratio of Earnings (Losses) to Fixed Charges Year Ended December 31 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 (dollar amounts expressed in thousands) Interest costs $ 109,791 $ 142,980 $ 201,006 $ 191,026 $ 172,170 Interest capitalized during the period 15,981 35,533 6,498 3,972 2,036 Interest factor related to noncapitalized leases (1) 3,387 3,803 5,019 7,150 7,485 _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Total fixed charges $ 129,159 $ 182,316 $ 212,523 $ 202,148 $ 181,691 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 436,870 $ 121,400 $(128,140) $(252,510) $(125,590) Undistributed (earnings) losses of less than 50% owned persons, net of distributions received (68) 2,966 (1,865) (2,119) (922) Total fixed charges 129,159 182,316 212,523 202,148 181,691 Less: Interest capitalized (15,981) (35,533) (6,498) (3,972) (2,036) Guarantee of interest on ESOP debt (12,236) (24,869) (24,283) (23,380) (22,208) _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Total earnings (losses) from operations before fixed charges $ 537,744 $ 246,280 $ 51,737 $ (79,833) $ 30,935 Ratio of earnings (losses) to fixed charges 4.16 1.35 - (2) - (2) - (2) <FN> (1) Interest expense for operating leases with terms of one year or longer is based on an imputed interest rate for each lease. (2) Total fixed charges exceeded total earnings (losses) from operations by $160,786,000, $281,981,000, and $150,756,000 at December 31, 1991, 1992, and 1993.