Exhibit 99(b) CNF INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS (Dollars in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2001 2000 Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends: Interest Expense $ 21,635 $ 22,817 Capitalized Interest 697 3,573 Amortization of Debt Expense 772 773 Dividend Requirement on Series B Preferred Stock [1] 7,970 8,121 Dividend Requirement on Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trust 4,689 4,689 Interest Component of Rental Expense [2] 37,197 37,609 $ 72,960 $ 77,582 Earnings (Loss): Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Taxes [3] $ (346,947) $ 192,877 Fixed Charges 72,960 77,582 Capitalized Interest (697) (3,573) Preferred Dividend Requirements [4] (7,970) (8,121) $ (282,654) $ 258,765 Ratio of Earnings (Loss) to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends: (3.9)x 3.3 x Deficiency in the coverage of Fixed Charges by Earnings (Loss) before Fixed Charges (355,614) - [1] Dividends on shares of the Series B cumulative convertible preferred stock are used to pay debt service on notes issued by the Company's Thrift and Stock Plan. [2] Estimate of the interest portion of lease payments. [3] For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, results included a $340.5 million loss from a restructuring charge at Emery Worldwide and Menlo Logistics' $37.9 million loss from the failure of a significant customer. [4] Preferred stock dividend requirements included in fixed charges but not deducted in the determination of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Taxes.