EXHIBIT 12.1

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five most recent fiscal
years was as follows:



                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   2002            2001          2000          1999           1998
- ------------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
                                               
   2.69           13.41         16.30          6.95           6.33


The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing fixed charges
into earnings before income taxes and before the cumulative effect of a change
in accounting principle plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest
expense and that portion of net rental expense deemed representative of
interest.