EXHIBIT 12 Linens 'n Things, Inc. and Subsidiaries Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (in thousands) 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- NET EARNINGS Net income (loss) $ 25,790 $ 15,039 $ (34) $ 17,198 $ 11,719 Income taxes 18,704 10,952 1,108 11,874 8,619 Interest expense, excluding capitalized interest 1,405 4,692 7,059 3,170 1,398 Portion of rents deemed representative of interest factor (1/3) 23,271 17,774 12,946 9,504 7,104 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 69,170 $ 48,457 $ 21,079 $ 41,746 $ 28,840 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== FIXED CHARGES Gross interest expense 1,574 4,692 7,059 3,170 1,398 Portion of rents deemed representative of interest factor (1/3) 23,271 17,774 12,946 9,504 7,104 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 24,845 $ 22,466 $ 20,005 $ 12,674 $ 8,502 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 2.78 2.16 1.05 3.29 3.39 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========