Exhibit 12 BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Amounts in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended ---------------------------------------- September 27, September 28, September 30, 1997 1996 1995 ------------ ------------ ------------ Income before income taxes ........... $ 96,371 $ 75,350 $ 120,101 Interest expense ..................... 60,062 65,936 56,294 Imputed interest on rent expense ..... 4,938 5,006 4,636 --------- --------- --------- Total earnings ............... $ 161,371 $ 146,292 $ 181,031 --------- --------- --------- Interest expense ..................... $ 60,062 $ 65,936 $ 56,294 Imputed interest on rent expense ..... 4,938 5,006 4,636 --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges .......... $ 65,000 $ 70,942 $ 60,930 --------- --------- --------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ... 2.5 2.1 3.0 ========= ========= =========