EXHIBIT 12 BOISE CASCADE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Three Months Year Ended December 31 Ended March 31 _________________________________________________________ ______________________ 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ (dollar amounts expressed in thousands) Interest costs $ 169,170 $ 154,469 $ 146,234 $ 153,691 $ 174,541 $ 43,824 $ 40,869 Interest capitalized during the period 1,630 3,549 17,778 10,575 1,341 68 61 Interest factor related to noncapitalized leases(1) 9,161 8,600 12,982 11,931 11,308 2,851 2,998 _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Total fixed charges $ 179,961 $ 166,618 $ 176,994 $ 176,197 $ 187,190 $ 46,743 $ 43,928 Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest, and cumulative effect of accounting change $ (64,750) $ 589,410 $ 31,340 $ (28,930) $ (16,878) $ 4,580 $ 33,535 Undistributed (earnings) losses of less than 50% owned persons, net of distributions received (1,110) (36,861) (1,290) 5,180 3,791 3,540 (746) Total fixed charges 179,961 166,618 176,994 176,197 187,190 46,743 43,928 Less: Interest capitalized (1,630) (3,549) (17,778) (10,575) (1,341) (68) (61) Guarantee of interest on ESOP debt (20,717) (19,339) (17,874) (16,341) (14,671) (3,724) (3,279) _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Total earnings before fixed charges $ 91,754 $ 696,279 $ 171,392 $ 125,531 $ 158,091 $ 51,071 $ 73,377 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges - 4.18 - - - 1.09 1.67 Excess of fixed charges over earnings before fixed charges $ 88,207 $ - $ 5,602 $ 50,666 $ 29,099 - - (1) Interest expense for operating leases with terms of one year or longer is based on an imputed interest rate for each lease.