EXHIBIT 12


                        TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY
                  RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The  following  table  sets  forth  the company's ratio of earnings to
fixed charges for the periods indicated.

Year ended Dec. 31, 1997  1996(1)   1995(1)   1994(1)   1993(1)
                    4.38     4.40     4.28x  3.88x(2)  3.81x(3)

For the purposes of calculating this ratio, earnings consist of income
before  income  taxes  and  fixed  charges.  Fixed  charges consist of
interest  on  indebtedness, amortization of debt premium, the interest
component  of  rentals,  deferred  interest  costs and preferred stock
dividend requirements.
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(1)  Amounts  have been restated to reflect the merger of Peoples Gas
     System, Inc., with and into Tampa Electric Company.

(2)  Includes the effect of the restructuring charge of $21.3 million
     pretax.  The  effect  of  this charge was to reduce the ratio of
     earnings  to  fixed  charges. Had this non-recurring charge been
     excluded  from  the  calculation, the ratio of earnings to fixed
     charges  would  have  been  4.23x  for the period ended Dec. 31,
     1994.
 
(3)  Includes  the  effect  of  the  non-recurring $10-million pretax
     charge  associated with a coal pricing settlement. The effect of
     this  charge  was  to  reduce  the  ratio  of  earnings to fixed
     charges.  Had  this  non-recurring charge been excluded from the
     calculation,  the  ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have
     been 3.97x for the period ended Dec. 31, 1993.