UNUM Corporation and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
March 31, 1998

EXHIBIT 12

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                        ------------------

(Unaudited - Dollars in millions)                         1998       1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings:
 Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 134.4     $ 171.7
 Add:  Fixed charges                                      14.2        12.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings as adjusted                                   $ 148.6     $ 184.4
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Fixed charges:
   Interest expense                                   $   11.7     $  10.2
   Interest portion of rent expense                        2.5         2.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed charges                                   $   14.2     $  12.7
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                        10.5        14.5
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For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings as
adjusted consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes and
fixed charges.  Fixed charges consist of interest expense and the estimated
interest portion of rent expense.