EXHIBIT 12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Year ended December 31 (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993* Fixed Charges: Interest expense $ 617 $ 592 $ 603 $ 520 $ 540 Rental expense 140 140 142 170 180 Total fixed charges before capitalized interest and preferred stock dividend of subsidiary 757 732 745 690 720 Capitalized interest - - - 2 5 Preferred stock dividend of subsidiary 50 - - - - Total fixed charges $ 807 732 $ 745 $ 692 $ 725 Earnings available for fixed charges: Earnings** $2,268 $2,067 $1,980 $1,602 $ (193) Less undistributed income in minority owned companies (84) (84) (90) (54) (51) Add fixed charges before capitalized interest and preferred stock dividend of subsidiary 757 732 745 690 720 Total earnings available for fixed charges $2,941 $2,715 $2,635 $2,238 $ 476 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)(2) 3.64 3.71 3.54 3.23 0.66 (1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been computed based on the Company's continuing operations by dividing total earnings available for fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest, by total fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest, including capitalized interest, one-third of rent expense as representative of the interest portion of rentals, and preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiaries. Debt has been assigned to discontinued operations based on historical levels assigned to the businesses when they were continuing operations, adjusted for subsequent paydowns. Discontinued operations consist of the Company's Insurance, Other Financial Services, and Third Party Financing and Real Estate businesses (2) The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges includes the effect of the Company's finance subsidiaries, which primarily finance Xerox equipment. Financing businesses are more highly leveraged and, therefore, tend to operate at lower earnings to fixed charges ratio levels than do non-financial businesses. * 1993 earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency was $249 million. ** Sum of "Income (Loss) before Income Taxes, Equity Income and Minorities' Interests" and "Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates."