UNUM Corporation and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
June 30, 1998

EXHIBIT 12

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                                        Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,                June 30,
                                        ------------------      ----------------
(Unaudited - Dollars in millions)        1998         1997       1998       1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              
Earnings:
 Income before income taxes            $141.4       $126.4     $275.8     $298.1
 Add:  Fixed charges                     14.7         13.3       29.0       26.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings as adjusted                   $156.1       $139.7     $304.8     $324.1
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Fixed charges:
   Interest expense                    $ 12.3       $ 10.6     $ 24.0     $ 20.8
   Interest portion of rent expense       2.4          2.7        5.0        5.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed charges                    $ 14.7       $ 13.3     $ 29.0     $ 26.0
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges       10.6         10.5       10.5       12.5
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For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
as adjusted consist of income before income taxes and fixed charges.  Fixed
charges consist of interest expense and the estimated interest portion of
rent expense.