EXHIBIT 12
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
($ in thousands, except Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges)
FISCAL YEAR
----------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
NET EARNINGS
Net income (loss) .............................. $ 52,052 $ 38,062 $ 25,790 $ 15,039 $ (34)
Income taxes ................................... 32,457 23,843 18,704 10,952 1,108
Interest expense, excluding capitalized interest 554 594 1,405 4,692 7,059
Portion of rents deemed representative
of interest factor (1/3) .................... 33,737 27,819 23,271 17,774 12,946
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$118,800 $ 90,318 $ 69,170 $ 48,457 $ 21,079
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
FIXED CHARGES
Gross interest expense ......................... $ 1,070 $ 774 $ 1,574 $ 4,692 $ 7,059
Portion of rents deemed representative
of interest factor (1/3) .................... 33,737 27,819 23,271 17,774 12,946
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 34,807 $ 28,593 $ 24,845 $ 22,466 $ 20,005
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ............. 3.41 3.16 2.78 2.16 1.05