Exhibit 12




                  MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

                 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges




                                                 (Thousands of Dollars)                    
                                 Three 
                                 Months 
                                 Ended 
                                March 31,               Year Ended December 31,            
                                  1998       1997      1996      1995      1994      1993    
                                                                  
Earnings Before Income Taxes
  and Fixed Charges:

  Income from continuing 
    operations before income 
    taxes                       $184,300   $630,900  $502,700  $351,790  $292,830  $349,190  

  Deduct/add equity in 
    undistributed (earnings)/
    loss of equity affiliates     (5,230)   (19,470)  (12,310)  (17,770)  106,200   (13,750) 

  Add interest on indebtedness,
    net                           20,720     80,390    74,790    73,400    60,360    62,860  

  Add amortization of debt
    expense                          270      1,260     1,400     1,930     2,220     2,650  

  Add estimated interest factor
    for rentals                    2,480      8,150     6,150     4,970     4,220     3,190  

  Earnings before income
    taxes and fixed charges     $202,540   $701,230  $572,730  $414,320  $465,830  $404,140  


Fixed Charges:

  Interest on indebtedness
    regarding continuing
    operations                  $ 21,460   $ 83,520  $ 77,250  $ 76,460  $ 63,220  $ 63,600  

  Amortization of debt expense       270      1,260     1,400     1,930     2,220     2,650  

  Estimated interest factor 
    for rentals                    2,480      8,150     6,150     4,970     4,220     3,190  

                                $ 24,210   $ 92,930  $ 84,800  $ 83,360  $ 69,660  $ 69,440

Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges                            8.4        7.5       6.8       5.0       6.7       5.8