EXHIBIT 12 JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------ 1999 1998 1997 -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes........ $314,559 $251,811 $194,609 -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges Interest expense and amortization of financing costs............... 66,883 11,845 3,584 Portion of rent expense representing interest......... 35,458 9,116 7,379 -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges excluding capitalized interest............ 102,341 20,961 10,963 Capitalized interest.............. - 671 370 -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges............... 102,341 21,632 11,333 -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and fixed charges................... $416,900 $272,772 $205,572 ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................... 4.1 12.6 18.1 ======== ======== ========