EXHIBIT 12.1 RENTAL SERVICE CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended December 31, Six Months Ended June 30, ----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Earnings: Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes................ $ 6,116,000 $ 6,711,000 $23,479,000 $ 9,096,000 $22,056,000 Total fixed charges.............. 4,033,000 7,987,000 16,483,000 5,300,000 21,565,000 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total earnings.................. $10,149,000 $14,698,000 $39,962,000 14,396,000 $43,621,000 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== Fixed charges: Interest expense................. $ 3,314,000 $ 7,063,000 $14,877,000 $ 4,627,000 $20,008,000 Implicit interest in rent expense......................... 719,000 924,000 1,606,000 673,000 1,557,000 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total fixed charges............. $ 4,033,000 $ 7,987,000 $16,483,000 $ 5,300,000 $21,565,000 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......................... 2.5x 1.8x 2.4x 2.7x 2.0x =========== =========== =========== ========== ===========