NIKE, Inc. Exhibit 12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Six Months Ended November 30, ________________ 1997 1996 ____ ____ (dollars in thousands) Net income $394,179 $402,935 Income taxes 246,700 254,900 ________ ________ Income before income taxes 640,879 657,835 ________ ________ Add fixed charges Interest expense (A) 34,874 24,430 Interest component of leases (B) 21,923 11,866 _________ ________ Total fixed charges 56,797 36,296 _________ ________ Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges (C) $696,857 $692,595 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to total fixed charges 12.27 19.08 ======== ======== (A) Interest expense includes interest both expensed and capitalized. (B) Interest component of leases includes one-third of rental expense, which approximates the interest component of operating leases. (C) Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges is exclusive of capitalized interest.