Exhibit 12




                MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

               Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges





                                                 (Thousands of Dollars)                    
                                  Nine 
                                 Months 
                                 Ended 
                             September 30,              Year Ended December 31,            
                                 1998        1997      1996      1995      1994      1993    

                                                                 
Earnings Before Income Taxes
  and Fixed Charges:

  Income from continuing 
    operations before income 
    taxes                    $570,200      $630,900  $502,700  $351,790  $292,830  $349,190  

  Deduct/add equity in 
    undistributed 
    (earnings)/loss of 
    equity affiliates         (17,280)      (19,470)  (12,310)  (17,770)  106,200   (13,750) 

  Add interest on indebtedness,
    net                        64,380        80,390    74,790    73,400    60,360    62,860  

  Add amortization of debt
    expense                       880         1,260     1,400     1,930     2,220     2,650  

  Add estimated interest 
    factor for rentals          7,660         8,150     6,150     4,970     4,220     3,190  

  Earnings before income
    taxes and fixed charges  $625,840      $701,230  $572,730  $414,320  $465,830  $404,140  


Fixed Charges:

  Interest on indebtedness
    regarding continuing
    operations               $ 66,620     $ 83,520  $ 77,250  $ 76,460  $ 63,220  $ 63,600  

  Amortization of debt expense    880        1,260     1,400     1,930     2,220     2,650  

  Estimated interest factor 
    for rentals                 7,660        8,150     6,150     4,970     4,220     3,190  

                             $ 75,160     $ 92,930  $ 84,800  $ 83,360  $ 69,660  $ 69,440

Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges                         8.3          7.5       6.8       5.0       6.7       5.8