EXHIBIT 12
CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(UNAUDITED)
Three months Nine months
ended September 30 ended September 30
------------------ -------------------
1995 1994 1995 1994
-------- -------- -------- --------
(Dollars expressed in thousands)
Net income $31,880 24,613 85,047 65,299
Income taxes 18,900 15,176 53,395 38,867
------- ------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes 50,780 39,789 138,442 104,166
Adjustments to earnings:
Fixed charges 10,924 11,513 32,771 30,839
Capitalized interest (301) (191) (490) (286)
Gross earnings from unconsolidated
cellular partnerships (6,602) (4,943) (14,764) (10,991)
Distributed earnings from uncon-
solidated cellular partnerships 1,662 2,114 3,048 3,950
Gross losses from unconsolidated
cellular partnerships - 339 64 412
Minority losses from majority-
owned subsidiaries (80) (80) (208) (220)
------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings as adjusted $56,383 48,541 158,863 127,870
======= ======= ======= =======
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $10,924 11,513 32,771 30,839
======= ======= ======= =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.16 4.22 4.85 4.15
======= ======= ======= =======